The United States men’s national team was “Ole’d” by the Guatemala crowd, discombobulated and answerless while dropping to third in its CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group.
Rafael Morales and Carlos Ruiz scored early goals and Guatemala cruised to a 2-0 win over the USMNT, its first in 21 years and first ever in World Cup qualifying, on Friday in Guatemala City.
The two sides meet again Tuesday in Columbus, with the Yanks three points behind group-leading Trinidad and Tobago & two points back of Guatemala.
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The first half was downright terrible. Even with John Brooks, Matt Besler and Jozy Altidore out through injury, it shouldn’t have been this bad: 2-0 after 15 minutes.
It took all of seven of those minutes for Guatemala to strike, and it came off a set piece. Morales leapt over his mark, a stumbling Mix Diskerud, and headed a bouncing shot past a diving Tim Howard.#RumboAlMundial GOL de @fedefut_oficial . Rafael Morales pone el primero del encuentro #Guatemala 1-0 #USA https://t.co/7iv6HNmDs8
— NBC Deportes (@TelemundoSports) March 26, 2016
Guatemala doubled its lead in the 15th minute through Ruiz, who darted through an asleep U.S. back line off a goal kick and slid his shot around Howard. Embarrassing.
#RumboAlMundial GOL de @fedefut_oficial . Carlos “Pescadito” Ruíz aumenta la ventaja #Guatemala 2-0 #USAhttps://t.co/S4JacQEMqB
— NBC Deportes (@TelemundoSports) March 26, 2016
The second half saw Mix Diskerud removed for Darlington Nagbe, as the Yanks fought to find the goal that would put them back into the contest.
The U.S. had a gorgeous combination from Nagbe to Bobby Wood to Dempsey in the 57th minute, but Motta snared Dempsey’s shot. It wasn’t hard; Deuce hit the ball right at him.
Klinsmann decided to risk his defense -- whatever there was to risk -- with a half-hour to play, taking out Michael Orozco for Gyasi Zardes. Cameron slid middle and Yedlin dropped to right back, which only totally made sense as a Starting XI.
Then, wow, Klinsmann pulled out Omar Gonzalez for Jozy Altidore. The striker almost worked a goal out of the 82nd minute, but Motta made a huge save.
This was one of the worst games the Yanks have played in the last decade, and the temperature is getting hot under a clearly desperate Klinsmann’s managerial seat.
