Update: USA 1-1 Guatemala, Final Score
USA Vs. Guatemala Halftime Score, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Clint Dempsey Has USMNT On Top 1-0
Not much happened in the first half of the World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Guatemala, but the USMNT heads into the locker room with a lead thanks to one individual moment of brilliance. With a goal that moved him past Joe-Max Moore on the USMNT's all-time scoring list, Clint Dempsey has the United States up 1-0 after one half in Guatemala City.
Dempsey's goal came in the 40th minute, and it was a beauty. Fabian Johnson's assist was just as impressive as the goal, as the left back made a great run down the left flank before beating a defender and playing a perfect pass to Dempsey's feet. He then side-stepped Guatemala defender Carlos Gallardo before cutting the ball back across his body and into the back of the net from 15 yards out.
The usual shenanigans that plague the United States and other big teams away in CONCACAF like poor pitch conditions, bad officiating and fans throwing things onto the field have not plagued this match thus far. That’s the good news. The bad news is that, if those things aren’t problems, the United States should probably be playing much better football than they are. Other than the goal, Guatemala goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez has only been seriously tested on one other occasion.
On the other end, Tim Howard has had to make a couple of saves, but the back line is doing their part. Clarence Goodson and Carlos Bocanegra look like they have a good understanding with each other in the back, though Goodson has been a bit too aggressive. He already has a yellow card, and was playing like a player asking for a sending off between the time he received it in the 23rd minute and the end of the first half.
Even though the United States struggled going forward for most of the first half, they did have the majority of the possession in a road game against respectable opposition, which is to be expected for a three-man midfield playing with Jurgen Klinsmann’s possession-based tactics.
The one good attacking move from the United States resulted in a goal and was a thing of beauty, so there’s nothing to be unhappy about if you’re a fan of the USMNT. They could have played better in the first half, but they’ve done their jobs thus far.
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