The US tossed Guatemala aside and won, 4–0. The US was dominant, it looked easy. Which inevitably leads one to ask, Why was it so hard on Friday?
USMNT
World Cup Qualifying preview: USMNT v Guatemala
While the outlook is a touch overcast just now, if results go the right way tonight, the US senior team could have made a huge stride toward reaching the next stage of World Cup Qualifying, and the U-23s could be in the Olympics.
Match Recap: USMNT 0 – 2 Guatemala
Guatemala profited from two early defensive mistakes from the Americans to grab a 2-0 lead that they would never relinquish.
World Cup Qualifying Preview: Guatemala v USMNT
The US has a strong record against Guatemala, even during World Cup qualifying, having not lost since 1988 across 21 games. That said, Guatemala City is almost a mile above sea level, making it a tough place to play. A point is a fine result on its own, but the US really needs three.
Recap: USMNT 1–0 Canada
In a game no one should have stayed up to watch, the US defeated Canada, 1–0 on a very late Jozy Altidore goal. Neither team cared about this game, and it showed. Or if they did care, it didn’t look like it.
Recap: USMNT 3–2 Iceland
The US came back twice to defeat Iceland 3–2 on Sunday. Goals from Jozy Altidore, Michael Orozco, and Steve Birnbaum were enough to see off the Icelanders on a day when neither team seemed all that energized.