SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — For Hondurans, tonight's World Cup qualifier is an opportunity to unite during a political crisis that's stretched on since June. For U.S. players, it's a chance to clinch a spot in next year's 32-nation field in South Africa.

"For me personally, and I think would I speak for the guys who were in Germany in 2006, this would be an opportunity at redemption in some ways," forward Landon Donovan said Friday as the United States prepared for the big match in Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.

Everything was pretty much normal at the U.S. hotel, with the usual amount of security but nothing extraordinary. A few American fans were in the lobby seeking autographs.

Police fired tear gas and a water cannon at protesters in the capital of Tegucigalpa, about a four-hour drive across mountains from San Pedro Sula, Honduras' No. 2 city.

"It's obviously of interest to those of us who pay attention to world news in general," Donovan said, "but that part aside, the only interest from a soccer standpoint is making sure that it's safe and that everything's OK for us. And, like we've said, we rely on our security team, on the coaching staff, on U.S. Soccer to do that. It's not something we worry about. And they've never put us in harm's way, and I don't think they ever would."

The United States (5-2-1) leads North and Central America and the Caribbean with 16 points with two games left, followed by Mexico (5-3) with 15, Honduras (4-3-1) with 13 and Costa Rica (4-4) with 12. The top three teams qualify, and the No. 4 finisher meets South America's fifth-place team in a home-and-home playoff.

The U.S. would clinch with a win, if Costa Rica loses at home to already eliminated Trinidad and Tobago (1-5-2) or with a tie combined with a Costa Rican loss or tie. If the Americans don't clinch tonight, they could assure themselves a berth on Wednesday with a tie or win against Costa Rica at Washington.