Wood helps U.S. salvage tie in Honduras

Bobby Wood scored in the 85th minute as the United States salvaged an important point with a 1-1 tie at Honduras in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula.

The Americans and Honduras are tied for third in the six-team field for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with nine points (2-3-3). There are two matches left and the U.S. holds the tiebreaker.

Panama (1-2-4, 7 points) is fifth but played later Tuesday at last-place Trinidad and Tobago with a chance to move into third.

The top three teams automatically qualify for the World Cup in Russia while the fourth-place finisher goes into a playoff.

The U.S. plays Panama in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 6.

Romell Quioto scored in the 27th minute for Honduras and the home side appeared headed for victory until Kellyn Acosta’s free kick was saved by Honduran goalkeeper Luis Lopez.

Honduras could not clear the rebound and Jordan Morris headed the ball to Wood, who chested it then quickly fired on goal.

The match started well for the U.S., but Quioto, who plays for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer, broke the deadlock with a well-timed run that enabled him to take in stride a through ball by Alexander Lopez.

U.S. defender Omar Gonzalez unsuccessfully tried a slide tackle on the left side of the penalty area that left Quioto free to fire a shot off the far post and in for the lead against goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

The U.S. was under siege for the next 10 minutes before the Americans regrouped and almost got the equalizer in the 41st minute.

Jordan Morris passed to Christian Pulisic on the left side of the box but his close-in shot was stopped by Lopez.