The U.S. Men’s National Team produced numerous second half chances, but fell 2-0 to Guatemala in a Semifinal Round FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday night at Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City. It was a setback in the team’s quest in earning a spot in the final hexagonal round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.The loss dropped the USA into third place after three games in the four team group round robin. Only the top two teams in the group advance.
The U.S. held possession early before goals from Rafael Morales and Carlos Ruiz gave the hosts a 2-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes. Battling a Guatemala side charged by a vibrant home crowd, the U.S. did well to create multiple scoring chances, but goalkeeper Publo Motta superbly saved everything that came his way to keep the U.S. off the board.
The MNT continues World Cup Qualifying on Tuesday, March 29 with a return trip to the familiar confines of MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, where the team will host the same Guatemala side at 7 p.m. ET with the game broadcast on ESPN2, UniMas and UDN.
Milestone Watch:
- Goalkeeper Tim Howard made his 31st career World Cup Qualifying appearance, moving him into a tie for fourth with Carlos Bocanegra, Kasey Keller, Eddie Pope and Claudio Reyna on the MNT’s all-time World Cup Qualifying caps list.
Additional Notes:
- With the defeat, the MNT moves to 15-5-6 all-time vs. Guatemala and 2-5-4 in away matches.
- The USA is now 7-1-5 overall in World Cup Qualifying matches vs. los Chapines and 1-1-5 in Qualifying matches played on Guatemalan soil.
- Edgar Castillo made his first MNT appearance since a 2-0 loss to Ukraine on March 5, 2014.
- John Brooks did not dress due to a left knee contusion. The defender departed camp Friday morning to return to Hertha Berlin.
- Defender Matt Besler did not dress due to a concussion suffered during training on Thursday. Since being diagnosed, Besler has been following U.S. Soccer’s return to play protocol and he will continue to be evaluated in the coming days by U.S. Soccer doctors. His availability for Tuesday’s match is dependent on his recovery and progression through the return to play protocol.
- MNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann fielded a starting back line of Geoff Cameron at right back, with Omar Gonzalez and Michael Orozco deployed centrally and Edgar Castillo at left back.
- The midfield consisted of Michael Bradley and Mix Diskerud inside, with DeAndre Yedlin and Alejandro Bedoya on the right and left wings, respectively. Veteran Clint Dempsey led the forward line up top along with Bobby Wood.
- Guatemala starting forward and goalscorer tonight Carlos Ruiz will not travel with the team to Columbus, Ohio, because of a legal matter in Guatemala that prohibits him from leaving the country.
– U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Guatemala
Date: March 25, 2016
Competition: 2018 World Cup Qualifying – Semifinal Round
Venue: Estadio Mateo Flores; Guatemala City, Guatemala
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local)
Attendance: TBA
Weather: 68 degrees; partly cloudy
Date: March 25, 2016
Competition: 2018 World Cup Qualifying – Semifinal Round
Venue: Estadio Mateo Flores; Guatemala City, Guatemala
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local)
Attendance: TBA
Weather: 68 degrees; partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
GUA 2 0 2
USA 0 0 0
GUA 2 0 2
GUA – Rafael Morales (Jean Marquez) 7th minute
GUA – Carlos Ruiz (Paulo Motta) 15
GUA – Carlos Ruiz (Paulo Motta) 15
Lineups:
USA: 12-Tim Howard; 20-Geoff Cameron, 3-Omar Gonzalez (17-Jozy Altidore, 66), 14-Michael Orozco (9-Gyasi Zardes, 59), 23-Edgar Castillo; 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 10-Mix Diskerud (16-Darlington Nagbe, 46), 11-Alejandro Bedoya; 8-Clint Dempsey, 7-Bobby Wood
Subs Not Used: 1-Brad Guzan; 5-Matt Besler, 6-Lee Nguyen, 13-Ethan Finlay, 15-Kyle Beckerman, 18-Chris Wondolowski, 19-Ventura Alvarado, 21-Steve Birnbaum, 22-William Yarbrough
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
USA: 12-Tim Howard; 20-Geoff Cameron, 3-Omar Gonzalez (17-Jozy Altidore, 66), 14-Michael Orozco (9-Gyasi Zardes, 59), 23-Edgar Castillo; 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 10-Mix Diskerud (16-Darlington Nagbe, 46), 11-Alejandro Bedoya; 8-Clint Dempsey, 7-Bobby Wood
Subs Not Used: 1-Brad Guzan; 5-Matt Besler, 6-Lee Nguyen, 13-Ethan Finlay, 15-Kyle Beckerman, 18-Chris Wondolowski, 19-Ventura Alvarado, 21-Steve Birnbaum, 22-William Yarbrough
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
GUA: 12-Paulo Motta; 3-Cristian Jimenez, 4-Hamilton Lopez, 5-Moises Hernandez, 8-Jean Marquez, 9-Gerson Tinoco, 10-Jose Contreras (13-Carlos Castrillo, 71), 14-Rafael Morales, 18-Stefano Cincotta (16-Marco Pappa, 46), 20-Carlos Ruiz (17-Gerardo Arias, 89), 22-Rodrigo Saravia
Subs Not Used: 1-Ricardo Jerez, 2-Jonathan Winibacker Lopez, 6-Marco Rivas, 7-Luis Fernando Martinez, 11-Mafre Icute, 15-Luis Cardona 19-Kevin Arriola, 21-Jose Carlos Garcia, 23-Edi Guerra
Head coach: Walter Claveri
Subs Not Used: 1-Ricardo Jerez, 2-Jonathan Winibacker Lopez, 6-Marco Rivas, 7-Luis Fernando Martinez, 11-Mafre Icute, 15-Luis Cardona 19-Kevin Arriola, 21-Jose Carlos Garcia, 23-Edi Guerra
Head coach: Walter Claveri
Stats Summary: USA / GUA
Shots: 8 / 10
Shots on Goal: 5 / 4
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 18 / 14
Offside: 4 / 1
Shots: 8 / 10
Shots on Goal: 5 / 4
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 18 / 14
Offside: 4 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
GUA – Moises Hernandez (caution) 8th minute
GUA – Marco Pappa (caution) 78
USA – Michael Bradley (caution) 83
GUA – Moises Hernandez (caution) 8th minute
GUA – Marco Pappa (caution) 78
USA – Michael Bradley (caution) 83