SANDY, Utah -- No amount of tight defence could keep Jozy Altidore from doing what he does best. Altidore has been money in scoring timely goals for the U.S. national team this spring. Honduras made a concerted effort to keep him in check, but the American forward still put himself in the highlight reel again. Altidore scored a goal in his fourth consecutive international match, enough for the United States to edge Honduras 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying game Tuesday night. Before 20,250 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, the Americans remained atop the six-team CONCACAF group. The United States (4-1-1) won three straight games this month, all since a 0-0 draw at Mexico gave it a boost toward the top. It has also shut out its last two opponents, Panama and Honduras. "Were trying to keep our feet on the ground, of course," U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "But going back over the last 15-20 years, we know what points total gets you to the World Cup. So its been a hugely successful summer." And summer hasnt even begun. Honduras (2-3-1) was the last team to win at the United States in a World Cup qualifying match, back in 2001. The Americans have won or drawn 25 straight at home since then. The top three teams in CONCACAF qualifying move directly to Brazil 2014, and the fourth-place team will face a playoff against New Zealand. The visitors made it difficult on the Americans for much of the game by slowing the pace before Altidore broke through. After several second-half near misses, the U.S. got its goal in the 73rd minute. Altidore took a cross from Fabian Johnson from near the end line and put it past goalkeeper Noel Valladares across the goalmouth inside the right post. It was Altidores ninth goal in a qualifier as he finally develops into the scoring threat the United States has hoped for. "We always told him from a coaching perspective that it takes a lot of hard work, it takes a lot of adjustment, it takes the right moment to be there, it takes the hunger," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "The energy he has put in the last four or five games has been tremendous. Its not only that he scored those goals, the work he does for the team is awesome." Both teams played physical soccer in the first half, leading to an emphasis on defence and a limited number of scoring chances on either side of the field. Just before the first period ended, though, Howard was forced to make a difficult save when Andy Najar launched a running right-footer from the right side of the box. He met the ball in the centre of the box and deflected it outside the right post. Eddie Johnson had a chance in the 17th minute when he latched onto a cross from Fabian Johnson. His left-footed shot from the centre of the box was knocked away by Valladares. Klinsmann expected Honduras, even with a depleted roster, to force his players to slog through a tough first half. Their ability to be patient and grind down the Honduras defence offered an example of how much the Americans have grown in 2013. "The team now understands its not only a physical grind you put into these games," Klinsmann said. "Its a mental one. Mentally were getting stronger. Were getting tougher. We are now prepared to go through the games." When the U.S. stepped up the offensive pressure early in the second half, it put Honduras on its heels. Altidore, who did not speak to reporters, had the finishing touch to make the aggressive push count. He even appeared to score earlier in the half. Moments after Graham Zusi sent a free kick into a crowd of players just outside the 6-yard box in the 56th minute, only to see Brad Evans header go right into Valladares gloves, Altidore got behind the defence. Clint Dempsey sent a through ball ahead to Altidore, who was ruled offside and his score was negated. His teammates knew Altidore couldnt be denied forever. "As long as we do our job in the back, they get the opportunity to score goals," defender Omar Gonzalez said. "Jozy is on fire right now. He keeps on scoring. Man, I love Jozy up top. Hes doing great." Valladares came up with another clutch save in the 69th minute. Zusi, who was particularly active all night after sitting out the win over Panama because of yellow card accumulation, sent a ball into Dempsey in the centre of the box and he leaned into a point-blank header. The ball bounced off of Valladares hands and Michael Bradley sent a follow-up shot too high. Honduras did little to threaten the Americans offensively before and after the games only goal. It marked the fourth time in six games the U.S. earned a shutout. "Every time we get a clean sheet, we feel like the best players in the world," Howard said. "Weve been on a roll. Its good for the young guys in the back. It gets us feeling good about ourselves. Every time we have a good performance, we put in our back pocket and save it." NOTES: The U.S. improved to 5-2-1 all-time vs. Honduras. The Americans also improved to 3-0 in games played in Utah ... Altidore is the sixth American to score in four straight matches, equaling Landon Donovan (twice), Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, Eric Wynalda and William Looby ... Clint Dempseys next U.S. appearance will be his 100th ... Howard has 26 shutouts for the national team. Germaine Pratt Youth Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Germaine Pratt Bengals Jersey .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Boomer-Esiason-Jersey/ . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Joe Mixon Womens Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Anthony Munoz Youth Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. The Brumbies have consolidated their place on top of Super Rugbys Australian conference with an all-important 43-24 bonus-point win over Queensland at GIO Stadium.The ACT franchise extended their winning streak to four on a freezing Friday night thanks to a try double to Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore.The hosts had a shaky start and trailed 10-0 before their attack was sparked by Argentinian halfback Tomas Cubelli, who replaced Joe Powell in the 58th minute, that led to three tries in the final 20 minutes.The six-tries-to-three victory puts them five points ahead of fierce rivals the NSW Waratahs, who play Japans unfancied Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.Even if the Tahs land a win with bonus point, the Brumbies will retain the lead with an extra victory up their sleeve with two regular-season games remaining.It was a rather uninspiring affair in Canberra after the month-long international hiatus.Near-zero temperatures and a greasy field meant plenty of errors and injuries - including to Brumbies debutant and No.8 Ben Hyne, whose first Super Rugby game lasted less than five minutes after he rolled his ankle.The Reds drew first blood with a penalty goal and converted try to hooker Andrew Ready for a 10-0 lead after 18 minutes.It took a while for the Brumbies to warm up, but they finally did just before the break via co-captain Moore off a rolling maul.A Ben Alexander five-pointer after the half-time siren gave them a 15-10 lead.Queensland were denied the chance to level the scores in the 42nd minute after the TMO spotted a foot in touch en route to an enterttaining Samu Kerevi try.ddddddddddddInstead, the hosts skipped ahead with another Moore effort - his seventh of the season, the most ever by a hooker in Super Rugby.Duncan Paiaaua briefly took the wind out of the Brumbies sails, before Lealiifano scored off a Cubelli break.Cubelli dived over for one of his own 10 minutes later. Lausii Taliauli sealed the bonus point with five minutes remaining.The Brumbies travel to Auckland next week to face the Blues, while the Reds host the Chiefs.Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was disappointed with the first half, but encouraged by a superb second term.He said it had been a pretty emotional week for many of his players, left disappointed by their recent Wallabies 3-0 Test series loss to England.We had one training run this week and we didnt do any breakdown or defensive work, he said.I think that first-half was really a bit of a training run to find their feet, and in the second half they got it all together.It was a bonus to get the three-try advantage - we havent had many this year.Reds skipper James Slipper said Alexanders try hurt them after an impressive start.The first 20 minutes we played the game that we came here to play and put the Brumbies under a lot of pressure, he said.We knew they were going to be a tough team to beat, especially down here at home - theyre a finals contender so we knew had to be on our game.But I thought, overall, our players really put their hands up tonight. 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