USA vs. Guatemala: Yanks Stunned 2-0 in World Cup Qualifier

Guatemala stunned the United States Men’s National Team on home soil, 2-0, and dropped the Americans to third place in Group C of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

The Guatemalans, playing in front of a raucous home crowd, got off to a dream start. Just seven minutes in, Rafael Morales got his head to a corner and slipped his shot past the outstretched hand of Tim Howard who got the start for the U.S. between the sticks.

And on a quarter of an hour, the hosts had doubled their lead. A goal kick from the Guatemala keeper, Paulo Motta, bounced through the entire U.S. team before finding its way onto the foot of captain Carlos Ruiz, who slotted home between the legs of Howard.

The U.S. struggled to link up passes throughout the game and quality chances were few and far between. In the second half, Alejandro Bedoya, Clint Dempsey and substitute Jozy Altidore all had on-on-one chances with Motta turned away, as the U.S. wasted a number of chances and was blanked for the second straight qualifier.

The loss drops the U.S. into third place in Group C, two points behind Guatemala and three back of Trinidad and Tobago. Only the top two teams in the group advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying.

The Yanks will get a chance at redemption on Tuesday as they take on the same Guatemala side in Columbus, OH, at Mapfre Stadium.