Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey started and played 90 minutes for the U.S. national team on Friday night, but the USMNT failed to climb out of an early hole and suffered a 2-0 loss to Guatemala in a World Cup qualifying match in Guatemala City.
The appearance was Dempsey’s first with the USMNT since the CONACAF Cup against Mexico in October, but it was a relatively quiet night across the board for the Americans’ attack. Dempsey finished with two shots on goal – his best chance came in the 54th minute off a pass from former Sounders teammate DeAndre Yedlin, but it was saved by Guatemala goalkeeper Paulo Motta – and the U.S. never overcame a slow start in one of CONCACAF’s least hospitable environments.
Motta also rose to the occasion in the final minutes of the game to deny Jozy Altidore, who had his golden opportunity saved after Dempsey set up the chance.
The loss was the first for the USMNT against Guatemala in any competition since 1988.
Guatemala took the lead in the 7th minute when Rafael Morales nodded home a corner kick, and longtime USMNT foil Carlos Ruiz doubled the lead in the 15th minute when a goal kick from Motta skipped past the U.S. defense and the 37-year-old former MLS MVP streaked in alone on goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Yedlin started and logged 90 minutes at right midfield to pick up his 30th career cap with the USMNT. Former Seattle Sounders midfielder Marco Pappa came on at halftime for Guatemala and finished with one shot on goal.
The U.S. will return to action against Guatemala at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, March 29 (4 p.m. PT; ESPN2).
