When the groupings for the fourth round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers were announced, one could not blame USA fans for breathing a sigh of relief. After all, the USMNT had avoided their toughest opponent - Mexico - and rather were placed with sides like Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Guatemala.
Of the three other teams, only Guatemala possibly appeared to pose any kind of threat, as they had troubled the Stars and Stripes in recent times, but the Central American side had not gotten the better of the USA in nearly three decades. That is, until this past Friday.
USA
Prior to Friday's meeting, Jurgen Klinsmann's side were sitting on top of Group C, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago on goal difference and one point in front of third-placed Guatemala. The Stars and Stripes arrived at the Estadio Mateo Flores knowing that they needed to pick up all three points in order to keep the Caribbean outfit at bay and widen the gap between themselves and Los Chapines, who are seeking to qualify for their first ever World Cup tournament.
Given that the USMNT had not lost to Guatemala since 1988 - when they were beaten by score-lines of 1-0 on January 10th and January 13th - Friday's visitors were certainly fancying their chances and were expecting to pick up six points and secure their spot into the Hexagonal (or the fifth round). However, football indeed is an unpredictable sport, and just when one thinks they have the opposition figured out, they manage to pull off a shock upset, and that is exactly what happened this past Friday.
Klinsmann was slammed by fans and the US press for some of his selections for Friday's game, and the pressure will be on the German tactician to get things right at Ohio's Mapfre Stadium this Tuesday. As things stand, the USMNT are now in third place with three games remaining. Should they fail to get a better result in Columbus, things could get a tad more uncomfortable for both the team and their manager, especially since they will be playing on home soil.
Guatemala
Meanwhile, if USA fans are reeling in shock after Friday's loss, Guatemala supporters are certainly celebrating. And why shouldn't they? After all, they have finally overcome a 28 year hoodoo against the Stars and Stripes and could potentially make it back-to-back wins for the first time since January 1988. To date, the furthest Los Chapines have gone in World Cup qualifying has been the final round, which they have reached on four occasions.
However, in front of their home fans, Guatemala were quick to seize their advantage, with captain Carlos Ruiz and goalkeeper Paulo Motta - whose goal kick set up the second goal - being the stars of the night. For veteran striker Ruiz, who not only is the team's skipper but also Guatemala's most capped player, it was a special evening as his goal marked his 60th in 126 appearances; the 36-year-old is also now featuring in his fifth World Cup qualifying campaign dating back to 2002.
Which channel is broadcasting USA vs Guatemala on TV or Online?
Mapfre Stadium will be hoping part two of this double-header between the USMNT and Guatemala, and expect Stars and Stripes supporters to be in full force behind the team. Los Chapines will be hoping to pull off another impressive win on USA soil, but Klinsmann's squad will not make it easy, which will surely provide for what will be an entertaining game from start to finish.
Too far away to make it to Ohio to view the game live? No worries. LiveSoccerTV.com has put together some selections to catch the match via your TV, computer, tablet, or phone.
Here are some of those great options for fans:
- In the USA at 19.25 EST on: ESPN2, WATCH ESPN, Univision Deportes USA, UniMás
Live elsewhere? Check out our special USA vs Guatemala broadcast page for viewing times and options for your current location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
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