Guatemala vs. USA preview: Klinsmann expects maximum points

World Cup Qualifying is once again ramping up for the US Men’s National Team with a pair of qualifiers against Guatemala. With a successful January Camp in the rearview mirror and the Copa America Centenario looming this summer, it’s important for the US to go ahead and lock up a spot in the final round of World Cup Qualifying as early as possible. That task can be accomplished in these next two games.

The US roster was released on Sunday and consisted of 26 players. There are no real surprises here, as everybody who was expected to be named to the squad has indeed been named to the squad. Most of the old guard is here with the likes of Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Geoff Cameron, Kyle Beckerman, Fabian Johnson, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, who is back in the US team for the first time since October. A number of younger players are also here all of whom have previous USMNT experience including John Brooks, DeAndre Yedlin, Ethan Finlay and Steve Birnbaum.

Road qualifiers in CONCACAF are always tricky business and Guatemala City has proved no exception to that rule. However, the US comes into this game in relatively good form, riding a four game unbeaten streak. Jurgen Klinsmann has stated that the goal for these two qualifiers is two wins and the maximum six points. Clinching a spot in the Hexagonal as soon as possible is extremely important with the Copa America this summer. And while these two qualifiers are being played, the US U-23 team has a home and home play-off against Colombia to decide who goes to the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Guatemala had a miserable 2015. They won only three games and failed to advance to the knout rounds of the Gold Cup, where the high point of their tournament was a 0-0 draw with Mexico. They have, however, won their last two games: a qualifier in November against group whipping boys St. Vincent & the Grenadines and a friendly against Honduras in February. Guatemala started preparing for this game a full week before the US roster was even announced, knowing that their chance to advance to the Hex for the first time since 2005 probably hinges on these next two games against the US. The Guatemala roster includes three MLS players: Moises Hernandez of FC Dallas, Marco Pappa of the Colorado Rapids and Rodrigo Silva of the Columbus Crew.

Notes:

• The US is first in Group C with four points, tied with Trinidad & Tobago, but with a better goal differential. Guatemala is third and St. Vincent & the Grenadines is fourth.

• The US has not scored more than one goal in Guatemala in their last four games.

• 18 of the 26 players on the US roster have appeared in World Cup Qualifiers.

• Clint Dempsey is tied for first all-time in World Cup Qualifying goals with Landon Donovan with 13. Jozy Altidore is right behind with 12.

• Fabian Johnson and Darlington Nagbe are both listed as day to day with a groin and ankle injuries respectively.

• There are a number of conflicting reports on whether 17 year old sensation Christian Pulisic has been called into the camp, but it has been confirmed by US Soccer that he will join the team in Columbus if he is healthy.

When and where

Friday, March 25

Estadio Mateo Flores
Guatemala City, Guatemala
10pm ET
beIN SPORTS, NBC Universo, fuboTV, Sling TV and KlowdTV

All-Time Series

USA leads 15-4-6

Last Meeting

July 3, 2015

Nissan Stadium
Nashville, Tennessee

USA 4-0 Guatemala

Current FIFA Ranking

USA: 30
Guatemala: 95

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