Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla reports from San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Coach Bruce Arena trained his team at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano on the eve of its World Cup qualifier and was generally impressed with the facility. A running track — and 50-foot fences — separate the stands from the playing field, which seems to indicate the atmosphere will be less intimidating than semifinal-round games in Guatemala and Costa Rica. ôThe fieldÆs in good shape,ö Arena said. ôItÆs a nice stadium to play in Central America, given the track and all. And weÆve a group of guys who are ready to play. ôThe conditions are better than we thought they would be. We were told it was going to be hot and humid here [ItÆs cloudy and about 70 degrees]. Playing at night is obviously a plus.ö El Tiempo reported on Wednesday more than 1,000 police, firemen and Red Cross personnel will guarantee security. Arena said his players are in good spirits and confident. ôDespite the unusual number of injuries weÆve experienced over the last month or so, we have tremendous balance,ö he said. The stadium is expected to start filling with fans at noon despite a 7:30 pm local time kickoff, because the vast majority of the tickets are festival seating. The cheapest seats cost $10 but are available only from scalpers, who are asking for $18. Honduras has not lost a qualifier in San Pedro Sula since a 1993 game against Mexico. While the press has been building up the USA as the regionÆs top team, Honduran confidence is high thanks to last weekÆs 3-1 friendly win over Chile and its 2-2 qualifying tie on the road to Costa Rica in February. Moreover, striker Carlos Pavon, who missed the Costa Rica win, is back in the lineup. Honduran coach Ramon Maradiaga had particular praise for the U.S. defense and said he didnÆt expect the Americans to play differently despite the injury-forced changes. ôThey have a specific scheme that they use regardless of the players,ö Madriaga said. ôI have seen their recent games and I feel that it will be a hard-fought match. The team is very strong defensively and does not give its opponents many chances. ôTheir midfielders, like Cobi Jones, Earnie Stewart and Cllint Mathis can all be dangerous.” Honduran midfielder Jose Luis Pineda said, ôTechnically we are better than they are. We have to move the ball and create dangerous chances and battle so that they canÆt penetrate. ôIn the end, it will all come down to each of us showing courage and strength.ö