The United States fell to Honduras, 2-1, in San Pedro Sula on Wednesday in the opening game of their CONCACAF World Cup final qualifying round.

Clint Dempsey put the U.S. ahead in the 35th minute, but a brilliant bicycle kick from Juan Carlos Garcia brought Honduras level four minutes later.

Honduras dominated the second half and went ahead in the 78th minute when striker Jerry Bengtson took advantage of some woeful defending and slotted into an empty net.

The U.S. return to action against Costa Rica in Denver on March 22 as they look to secure one of the three automatic qualification spots from CONCACAF for the finals in Brazil next year.