Dempsey scores twice, US beats Honduras 2-1 to open Gold Cup

U.S. forward Clint Dempsey (8) stops the ball in front of Honduras' Henry Figueroa (5) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday, July 7, 2015. (AP Photo/LM Otero) U.S. forward Clint Dempsey (8) stops the ball in front of Honduras' Henry Figueroa (5) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday, July 7, 2015. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

By Associated Press July 7, 2015 3 min read

FRISCO, Texas (AP) – Clint Dempsey scored twice on headers in front his home state fans, and the United States opened defense of its CONCACAF Gold Cup title with a 2-1 victory over Honduras on Tuesday night.

Dempsey’s goals in the 25th and 64th minutes were created from crosses from Michael Bradley, wearing the captain’s arm band in his 100th international appearance.

Dempsey’s big night came in the same area where the East Texas native trained as a youth, and he boosted the Americans to 13-0 in Gold Cup openers. With 43 international goals, he is 14 behind Landon Donovan’s American record.

Carlos Discua scored his first international goal in the 69th minute for Honduras, a semifinalist in the last three Gold Cups.

“It wasn’t our best performance, but we’re happy to get three points from our first game,” Dempsey said.