The USMNT returned to form at home in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, shutting out Guatemala 4-0 at MAPFRE Stadium. After the 2-0 loss at Guatemala on Friday, the USMNT faced added pressure in Group C, responding with a resounding win in Columbus.
Clint Dempsey opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing a sequence started by Geoff Cameron's pass finding Gyasi Zardes who brought the ball down in the box for an onrushing Dempsey. Cameron doubled the lead in the 35th minute, heading in a Michael Bradley free kick.
Graham Zusi made it 3-0 just after halftime. Gyazi Zardes picked up his second assist in the game, passing to Zusi in the box for the 4th minute goal. Jozy Altidore finished off the scoring in the 90th minute, finishing off Dempsey's move in the box. Brad Guzan didn't have to make a save for the shutout.
The USMNT resumes CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in September at St Vincent and the Grenadines on September 2. They finish out the Group C schedule against Trinidad and Tobago in Jacksonville on September 6. The USMNT is in 2nd-place in Group C, a point ahead of Guatemala and trailing Trinidad and Tobago by three points. Trinidad and Tobago beat St Vincent and the Grenadines 6-0 in Port of Spain.
Also in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, Honduras beat El Salvador 2-0 and Mexico shutout Canada by the same score in Group A. Mexico advances to the Hexagonal with two games remaining. Honduras and Canada are tied with four points with Honduras ahead on goal difference -1 to -4. In Group B, Panama beat Haiti 1-0 and Costa Rica shutout Jamaica 3-0. Costa Rica has a three point lead over Panama at the top of the table with Panama three points ahead of 3rd-place Jamaica.
-- GAME REPORT --
Match: U.S. Men's National Team vs. Guatemala
Date: March 29, 2016
Competition: 2018 World Cup Qualifying - Semifinal Round
Venue: MAPFRE Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: 20,624
Weather: 45 degrees, clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 2 4
GUA 0 0 0
USA - Clint Dempsey (Gyasi Zardes) 12th minute
USA - Geoff Cameron (Michael Bradley) 35
USA - Graham Zusi (Gyasi Zardes) 46
USA - Jozy Altidore (Clint Dempsey) 90
Lineups:
USA: 1-Brad Guzan; 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 21-Steve Birnbaum, 20-Geoff Cameron, 23-Edgar Castillo; 19-Graham Zusi (11-Christian Pulisic, 81), 15-Kyle Beckerman, 4-Michael Bradley (capt.); 7-Bobby Wood (17-Jozy Altidore, 66), 8-Clint Dempsey, 9-Gyasi Zardes (13-Ethan Finlay, 71)
Subs Not Used: 3-Omar Gonzalez , 5-Ventura Alvarado, 6-Lee Nguyen, 10-Mix Diskerud , 12-Tim Howard , 14-Michael Orozco , 16-Darlington Nagbe , 18-Chris Wondolowski, 22-David Bingham
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
GUA: 12-Paulo Motta; 3-Cristian Jimenez, 5-Moises Hernandez, 8-Jean Marquez, 9-Gerson Tinoco (7-Luis Fernando Martinez, 74); 11-Mafre Icute (20-Carlos Ruiz, 46), 13-Carlos Castrillo, 14-Rafael Morales, 10-Jose Contreras; 18-Stefano Cincotta (16-Marco Pappa, 46), 22-Rodrigo Saravia
Subs Not Used: 1-Ricardo Jerez, 2-Jonathan Winibacker Lopez, 4-Hamilton Lopez , 6-Marco Rivas, 15-Luis Cardona , 17-Gerardo Arias , 19-Kevin Arriola , 21-Jose Carlos Garcia, 23-Edi Guerra
Head coach: Walter Claveri
Stats Summary: USA / GUA
Shots: 6 / 4
Shots on Goal: 3 / 1
Saves: 1 / 0
Corner Kicks: 5 / 1
Fouls: 14 / 14
Offside: 6 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
GUA - Cristian Jimenez (caution) 34th minute
USA - Michael Bradley (caution) 71
Officials:
Referee: Valdin Legister (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Lloyd Edwards (JAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Keble Williams (JAM)
4th Official: Karl Tyrell (JAM)
