The United States successfully navigated the semifinal stage of World Cup Qualifying, advancing to the Hexagonal round as the winners of Group A. Guatemala provided an early scare when Carlos Ruiz scored in the 5th minute, but Carlos Bocanegra leveled the score in the 10th. From then on, it was the Clint Dempsey show for the USA. Dempsey scored in the 18th minute and finished off a superb Michael Bradley shot to make it 3-1 in the 36th. With Jamaica beating Antigua & Barbuda 4-1 in Group A’s other game, that means Guatemala is the odd team out on goal difference.
“I thought we started the game well, but they hit us on the counter and got the early goal," Dempsey said. "It was not the ideal start for us, but I thought we showed a lot of character bouncing back from that creating chances and finishing the chances we got. You could see in the second half we were comfortable, they were sitting back and we were still trying to push for more goals. We’re happy to get to the next round. I think the key for us in the next round is to do a better job getting points away from home. It will take a little bit of pressure off us trying to get results at home.”
The United States, Jamaica, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama will contest the Hexagonal stage with three teams qualifying for the World Cup directly and the fourth-place finisher entering a playoff.
-- GAME REPORT --
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Guatemala
Date: Oct. 16, 2012
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier; Semifinal Round
Venue: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT
Attendance: 16,947
Weather: 79 degrees, clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 3 0 3
GUA 1 0 1
GUA – Carlos Ruiz (Jose Manuel Contreras) 5th minute
USA – Carlos Bocanegra (Clint Dempsey) 10
USA – Clint Dempsey (Eddie Johnson) 18
USA – Clint Dempsey (Michael Bradley) 36
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Steve Cherundolo, 20-Geoff Cameron, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 2-Michael Parkhurst; 19-Graham Zusi (7-Maurice Edu, 78), 14-Danny Williams, 4-Michael Bradley, 18-Eddie Johnson (11-Joe Corona, 90); 8-Clint Dempsey, 9-Herculez Gomez (16-Sacha Kljestan, 66)
Subs not used: 5-Kyle Beckerman,12-Brad Guzan, 17-Alan Gordon, 21-Clarence Goodson, 22-Nick Rimando
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
GUA: 1-Ricardo Jerez Jr.; 2-Ruben Morales, 3-Elias Vasquez, 4-Erwin Morales, 23-Jonathan Lopez; 6-Wilfred Velasquez, 10-Mario Rodriguez (22-Minor Lopez, 46), 11-Jose Manuel Contreras, 15-Manuel Leon, 18-Carlos Figueroa (16-Marco Pappa, 46); 20-Carlos Ruiz (capt.) (17-Dwight Pezzarossi, 88)
Subs not used: 12-Cristian Alvarez, 21-Jaime Carbajal; 5-Wilson Lalin, 13-Claudio Albizuris, 7-Marco Tulio Ciani, 8-Gonzalo Romero, 14-Sergio Trujillo, 9-Henry Lopez, 19-Lester Ruiz
Head coach: Ever Hugo Almeida
Stats Summary: USA / GUA
Shots: 12 / 9
Shots on Goal: 8 / 4
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 8 / 5
Fouls: 11 / 12
Offside: 0 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
GUA – Elias Vasquez (caution) 76th minute
USA – Clint Dempsey (caution) 90+2
Officials:
Referee: Roberto Moreno (PAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Williamson (PAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Keytzel Corrales (NCA)
Fourth Official: Luis Rodriguez (PAN)
