The likes of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey may want to forget Friday night's results as soon as possible, but for MLS players representing Honduras, it was an evening they'd never forget.
Jerry Bengtson did what so few US players have been able to do, finding the net at Estadio Azteca as Los Catrachos shocked Mexico, winning 2-1 and sending El Tri's qualifying campaign into further disarray.
Mexico took an early lead through Oribe Peralta, but Honduras – starting Boniek Garcia and Victor Bernardez, as well as former MLSers Andy Najar, Carlo Costly and Roger Espinoza – battled back. Visiting coach Luis Fernando Suarez inserted Bengtson as a halftime substitute and the move paid off as the Revs man put away a rebound from Costly's superb turn and volley.
Costly found the winner with a well-taken left-footed shot not long after, and Bengtson missed a golden opportunity to ice the game with time winding down. Marvin Chavez also featured as a late substitute for Honduras.
Alvaro Saborio was the only MLS player to feature as Costa Rica overhwhelmed the US, 3-1, coming in as a second half substitute. Former Chivas USA man Michael Umaña also put in a solid shift in defense.
Elswhere in CONCACAF qualifying, Panama and Jamaica ground out a 0-0 draw in Panama City. The LA Galaxy's Jaime Penedo and Portland's Donovan Ricketts kept clean sheets on either end, while Gabriel Torres, Jermaine Taylor and Alvas Powell were the other MLS players to start. Newly-signed New England defender O'Brian Woodbine entered the game for Powell as a 44th minute substitute.
As always, the bulk of MLSers in international play were representing CONCACAF countries. But once again, there were a handful of league representatives out doing their thing across the globe.
Irish legend Robbie Keane was one of them, and he did what he seemingly always does when wearing green – he scored. Keane potted a 21st-minute goal, his 60th in international play, to open the scoring against visiting Sweden. But ROI couldn't hold on, eventually succumbing to a 2-1 loss that left them tied with the visitors as well as Austria on 11 points – second in UEFA's Group C, but fourth on goal differential.
Estonia, meanwhile, got a surprise 2-2 draw at home against Group D leaders the Netherlands, with Joel Lindpere chipping in an assist. Estonia had previously been eliminated from World Cup competition.
Down in South America, Uruguay paid a visit to Peru, with Raul Fernandez suiting up for the home side, but Arevalo Rios failing to make the gameday squad for the visitors. Uruguay pulled out a 2-1 win thanks to a pair of goals from Luis Suarez.
A pair of Caribbean teams with MLS representation were in action on Asian soil. Sporting KC right back Mechack Jerome started and played the full 90 minutes for Haiti in a 4-1 friendly loss to South Korea, while club and country counterpart Peterson Joseph dressed, but had to content himself with watching the proceedings from the bench.
Trinidad and Tobago, featuring Columbus Crew midfielder Kevan George, are taking part in the four-team OSN Cup in Saudi Arabia. George entered their opener against the United Arab Emirates as an 81st-minute sub and was on the field as the Soca Warriors scored twice late to complete a three-goal comeback to tie the game 3-3. However, the Middle Eastern team won 7-6 on penalties. T&T will face Saudi Arabia on Sept. 9 in the third-place game.
Republic of Ireland – lost 2-1 to Sweden, World Cup qualifier
Robbie Keane (LA) - Started, played 90 minutes, scored one goal
Estonia – drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, World Cup qualifier
Joel Lindpere (CHI) - Started, played 85 minutes, picked up one assist
Peru – 2-1 loss vs. Uruguay, World Cup qualifier
Raúl Fernández (DAL) - Started, played 90 minutes, conceded two goals
Uruguay – 2-1 at Peru, World Cup qualifier
Arévalo Ríos (URU) - Did not dress
Honduras – 2-1 win at Mexico, World Cup qualifier
Víctor Bernárdez (SJ) - Started, played 90 minutes, picked up a yellow card
Boniek García (HOU) - Started, played 90 minutes, picked up a yellow card
Marvin Chávez (SJ) - Entered as an 80th minute substitute
Jerry Bengtson (NE) - Entered as a 46th minute substitute, scored a goal
Jamaica – 0-0 draw at Panama, World Cup qualifier
Ryan Johnson (POR) - Dressed, did not play
Donovan Ricketts (POR) - Started, played 90 minutes, clean sheet
Alvas Powell (POR) - Started, played 44 minutes
Jermaine Taylor (HOU) - Started, played 90 minutes
Darren Mattocks (VAN) - Dressed, did not play
O'Brien Woodbine (NE) - Entered as a 44th minute substitute
Panama – 0-0 draw vs. Jamaica, World Cup qualifier
Gabriel Torres (COL) - Started, played 90 minutes
Blas Pérez (DAL) - Did not dress
Jaime Penedo (LA) - Started, played 90 minutes, clean sheet
Costa Rica – 3-1 win vs. USA, World Cup qualifier
Álvaro Saborío (RSL) - Entered as an 80th minute substitute
Trinidad & Tobago – Drew 3-3, lost 7-6 on penalties to United Arab Emirates, OSN Cup
Kevan George (CLB) - Entered as 81st-minute substitute
Haiti – lost 4-1 at South Korea, Friendly
Mechack Jerome (SKC) - Started, played full 90 minutes, picked up a yellow card
Peterson Joseph (SKC) - Dressed, did not play
