Fans get rowdy as U.S. men’s soccer team hosts Gold Cup match against Honduras in Frisco

Some fans came with patriotism beating from their chests. Others just wanted to experience the pageantry of international soccer.

Still others proclaimed themselves die-hard fans of the sport known worldwide as “The Beautiful Game.”

Whatever their reasons, an estimated 21,000 people crammed into Toyota Stadium on Tuesday night to watch a pair of games to open the monthlong CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. The United States was the hometown favorite, and took on a respectable Honduras team in a match that started at 8:30 p.m.

The U.S.-Honduras game was a bit sloppy, but the U.S. led 2-1 midway through the second half. Texan Clint Dempsey knocked in a header from 8 yards out on a rebound off a shot by Jozy Altidore in the 25th minute to put the U.S. on the board. Dempsey added a second goal later in the game before Honduras scored in the 71st minute.

Raucous fans sang the pounding lyrics to the White Stripes’ Seven-Nation Army, and chanted in unison “I believe that we will win!” They also shouted “USA! USA! USA!” repeatedly.

The coordinated, pro-American chants went on for much of the first half. Honduras appeared to have a respectable showing in the crowd, with hundreds of supporters wearing royal blue jerseys and dozens carrying large Honduran flags.

In the earlier game, Panama and Haiti fought to a 1-1 draw. Panama took the lead in the 56th minute when the Haitain defense couldn’t clear a ball and midfielder Alberto Quintero easily scored from just inside the left side of the penalty area. But Haitian attacker Duckens Nazon broke away for a shot in the 86th minute to tie the match 1-1.

Only two days after the U.S. women’s national team defeated Japan 5-2 to claim the Women’s World Cup, fans put on their best red, white and blue on Tuesday night in hopes of cheering on the men’s team to similar success.

Anel Espinal wore an American flag cape, and also sported a red, white and blue headband. The college-age woman and her boyfriend, Jeird Dubon, walked a few steps ahead of Espinal’s mom, who was holding a Honduras flag as the group entered Toyota Stadium.

Like many American soccer fans, they sport multiple national allegiances. But on a humid but not too hot evening, it was clear which country would win their hearts.

“I’m full-blooded Honduran, but I’m going for the USA all the way,” said Espinal, who lives in the Lake Worth area. Dubon, who used stage makeup to draw a United States flag on one cheek and a Honduran flag on the other, added, “I’m half-Honduran but I live here, so I’m going for the USA.”

The Gold Cup is held every two years among the top soccer-playing nations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Panama featured FC Dallas striker Blas Perez.

Plano residents Tom Lawrence and his 11-year-old son, Landon, not only came to cheer on the U.S. but also to see Perez, whom they have watched many times during MLS play at Toyota Stadium, home of FC Dallas.

And it was an early birthday present for Landon, who turns 12 on Wednesday.

“I think it’s awesome they’re bringing this to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and get residents pumped up for soccer,” Tom Lawrence said.

If the U.S. wins the tourney, it will have six Gold Cup trophies — moving into a tie with rival Mexico for most all-time.

The Gold Cup is considered a warm-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

This story was originally published July 7, 2015 at 10:22 PM with the headline "Fans get rowdy as U.S. men’s soccer team hosts Gold Cup match against Honduras in Frisco."