:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53890051/460738159.0.jpg)
The US Men’s National Team started quickly in its 2018 World Cup Qualifier against Honduras as West Ham Academy product Sebastian Lletget scored after just five minutes.
#USAvHON 1-0
— Data and Statistics (@Soccer_Data) March 25, 2017
Sebastian Lletget to the 5'.
His first goal with #USA and in his first match of official competition.#WCQ2018 pic.twitter.com/vcb5wkf0yg
Jozy Altidore fed Christian Pulisic through the box, before the latter’s shot deflected across goal for the trailing Lletget to poke home. It was a wonder start for the San Francisco native, scoring his first goal for the USA in Avaya Stadium in San Jose.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8220609/459364854.jpg)
But 10 minutes after scoring, the LA Galaxy star suffered a left ankle injury and made way for Alejandro Bedoya.
Honduras’ Ever Alvarado slid in on Lletget, earning a yellow card for the challenge. Lletget continued for another minute before going down when tracking back on defense.
It’s tough luck for Lletget after such a quick start to suffer an injury. It proves you can take a player out of West Ham, but never the West Ham out of a player.
Lletget joined the Hammers in 2010 and was an unused substitute in four Premier League games during the 2012-13 season. He made his official debut for West Ham on 5 January, 2014, when the Hammers were clobbered, 5-0, by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
The 24-year-old midfielder joined the Galaxy in 2015, and has scored eight goals for the club.