All of a sudden, U.S. World Cup prospects don’t look as promising. The United States fell to Honduras, 3-2, at Washington’s RFK Stadium. The Catrachos should have won by a much wider margin but they missed numerous chances. Honduras recovered from an early deficit on an Earnie Stewart goal to take a 3-1 lead before a second Stewart goal made the game close. The turning point came in the 43rd minute when goalie Noel Valladares stopped a Stewart penalty with the score tied, 1-1. Honduras took the lead when Jeff Agoos tripped Milton Reyes in the box and Carlos Pavon converted the penalty. Tyson Nunez was the Catracho hero with two goals. Pavon blew five clear chances. Indeed, Honduras had three breakaways after taking a 3-1 lead and missed them all. The Catrachos exposed Agoos and David Regis at the back. On the other hand, the Americans didn’t create nearly enough chances to worry Honduras. Landon Donovan had a promising debut, but he didn’t get enough support. The U.S. could find fault with Canadian referee Mauricio Navarro for not ordering a retake on Stewart’s penalty — Valladares was several yards off his line when it was taken — but there was no doubt Honduras, unbeaten (two wins and two ties) in four away qualifiers, was the much better team. The U.S. loss was the first in 16 years at home in World Cup qualifying. The United States now must play Costa Rica away Sept. 5 (ESPN2, 10 pm ET). It’s possible that the United States could be in fourth place in the Hexagonal after Wednesday’s games. The key game the Americans will be looking at is the Jamaica-Mexico game Sunday. They will be rooting for a Jamaica win or a tie. Sept. 1 in Washington, D.C. USA 2 Honduras 3. Goals: Stewart 7, 83; Nunez 28, 77, Pavon pen. 53. USA — Friedel, Cherundolo (Preki, 67), Pope, Agoos, Regis (Henderson, 78), Sanneh, Jones, Armas, Stewart, Kirovski (Moore, 61), Donovan. Honduras — Valledares, Reyes (Perez, 71), Cabellero, Medina (Carcamo, 46), Guerrero, Pineda, De Leon, Turcios, Guevara, Nunez, Pavon. Referee: Mauricio Navarro (Canada).