The United States opened its 2010 schedule of World Cup warmups with a resounding thud.

Fellow World Cup qualifier Honduras thoroughly outplayed a second-string U.S. lineup, winning an exhibition game, 3-1, last night at Carson, Calif.

"They looked a little more dangerous, a little more lively than we did," said defender Jimmy Conrad, the U.S. captain for this match.

Conrad, a member of the 2006 U.S. World Cup team, was ejected by Mexican referee Benito Archundia in the 17th minute for his second yellow card, given for an off-the-ball foul in the penalty area on Jerry Palacios.

"Now we're forced to chase the game," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "At this point, that's a big task for this group. I thought our passing was poor. Some passes that could've been played on the ground ended up in guys' chests."

Before a pro-Honduras crowd of 18,626, the Catrachos built a three-goal lead by early in the second half.

Bruce Arena, who coached the U.S. to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, was elected yesterday to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Arena coached Virginia to five NCAA titles in 18 seasons and D.C. United to a pair of MLS Cup championships and one U.S. Open Cup win before taking over as national team coach in 1998.

FOOTBALL

EAST WINS SHRINE GAME

Former Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless of Penn State with 6 seconds remaining, lifting the East to a 13-10 win over the West in Orlando, Fla., yesterday at the annual showcase for college all-stars looking to make an impression on NFL scouts.

"At Northwestern, we were notorious for close games," Kafka said. "I felt like a spent my whole career playing games right down to the wire."

Kafka overcame a slow start to lead the 11-play, 55-yard drive on a day when his team's defense was dominant. He finished with 150 yards passing and was selected the Offensive most valuable player.

Max Hall of BYU tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Moya of UCLA moments before the East rallied.

The attendance of 8,345 was the lowest in the history of the longest running college all-star game, according to the game's media guide. The Shrine has been played every year since 1925. This was the first year it was held in Florida.

SKIING

VONN WINS 5TH IN ROW

Lindsey Vonn made it a perfect five wins in five World Cup downhills this season with another decisive victory yesterday.

The American also tied Janica Kostelic with her 30th career victory, good for eighth place on the all-time list. Austrian Annemarie Moser-Proell has 62 career wins.

Following her super-G victory Friday, Vonn sped down the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy in 1 minute, 37.70 seconds.

TWO STRAIGHT FOR SWISS

Didier Cuche of Switzerland won a men's World Cup downhill on the Streif course in Kitzbuehel, Austria yesterday, one day after winning a super-G race.

Cuche sped down the course in 1 minute, 53.74 seconds for his fourth win of the season.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract, more than seven times his $464,000 salary last season. The 26-year-old was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .282 with 25 homers and 72 RBIs. ... The Baltimore Orioles and Miguel Tejada agreed on a 1-year contract, according to a team official familiar with the deal. The person spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract hinges upon Tejada passing a physical.