Guatemala Primer

Since the players have now started their preparations for Guatemala, what do you say we start getting warmed up ourselves?

We begin with a look back at the match against the Chapines on Aug. 20 in Guatemala City, which also happened to be the first match of the semifinal round of qualifying. Team captain Carlos Bocanegra provided all the scoring the U.S. needed to end a 20-year drought of defeating Guatemala on their home turf, nodding a home a corner kick from DaMarcus Beasley after a crafty play in the box from Brian Ching. Tim Howard earned his third shutout in four World Cup qualifying appearances, and the U.S. left Guatemala City with a 1-0 win and a crucial three points to kick off the semifinal campaign.