Longtime soccer promoter Eddie Rodger has seen a lot of passionate fans over the years, but he wasn't quite prepared for what he saw pulling into the parking lot of the Holiday Inn and Suites in Sunrise on Monday afternoon. Six pickup trucks rolled in with a 60-foot Honduran flag strung across them as a crowd of Honduran fans in blue and white jerseys cheered.

The Honduran team is staying at the hotel and training at the adjacent field in preparation for Wednesday night's friendly against Peru at Land Shark Stadium. When the team showed up for practice, players signed the flag and posed for photos.

``This flag signifies the great support we Honduran Americans give our team,'' said fan Mauricio Ramirez, who told Honduran reporters he paid $250 for the flag. ``We are very proud that the team qualified for the World Cup, and they will see this banner on display at the game on Wednesday.''

A crowd of at least 25,000 is expected for the 8:15 p.m. match. The Miami World Cup bid committee will be on hand, trying to get the crowd to support Miami's bid to host matches in 2018, should the United States be awarded that World Cup.

Honduras was one of three CONCACAF teams -- along with the United States and Mexico -- to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It is the second time the Hondurans have reached the Cup. Peru finished last in South American qualifying and was eliminated.

``There's definitely a buzz here at the hotel,'' Rodger said. ``I've never seen anything like it. I don't know how the Honduran fans find out everything, but they do, and they knew their team was practicing at 3:30 on Monday so they showed up. It was a very festive atmosphere, with fans singing during the practice. The players signed lots of autographs, on balls, shirts, flags, you name it.''

The U.S. national rugby team happens to be staying at the same hotel, training there for a game Saturday against Uruguay at Broward Regional Park. Rodger said the rugby players have been astounded by the scene around the Hondurans.

GETTING READY

The Honduran media has set up shop in the hotel lobby and lounge, and TV reporters are doing stand-ups several times per day.

Reinaldo Rueda, Honduras' coach, brought along most of the team's top players. Carlos Pavon, David Suazo and Julio Cesar de Leon are expected to play. Amado Guevara is injured and will miss the game. Jerry Palacios didn't travel with the team because his visa expired, but he was having it renewed overnight and was expected to arrive in South Florida soon.

``Now that we qualified for the World Cup, we have to respond to the expectations,'' Rueda told reporters Monday. ``We will try to offer a good match against a high-quality opponent, Peru.''

Some critics in Honduras complained that the World Cup-bound Catrachos should be warming up against other World Cup-qualified teams, but Rueda insisted the matchup will be a good test.

``We have great respect for Peruvian soccer, and we can't overlook any opponent,'' he said. ``We will play World Cup teams in the future and will be prepared for South Africa.''

LOOKING AHEAD

The coach said he will continue to evaluate talent over the next few months and will name a pool of 35 in March. The final roster won't be decided until May at the earliest.

Peru is using this match to give experience to some Under-20 players. Among the few veterans on the team are Johan Fano of Colombian club Once Caldas, and Hernan Rengifo, who plays in Poland.

``We will have a young team, as we need to look at these up-and-coming players for the 2011 Copa America,'' coach Jose ``El Chemo'' del Solar said. ``This will be a great experience for them, playing against a World Cup team.''

Tickets range from $25 through $50 through TicketMaster (1-800-745-3000) and at the stadium. Parking is free.