Klinsmann Suffers Shock Guatemala Loss

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The United States’ path toward the 2018 World Cup became considerably more difficult when coach Jurgen Klinsmann made some puzzling line-up choices and the American defense self-destructed Friday night in a 2-0 loss to Guatemala in Guatemala City.

Edgar Castillo’s poor backpass set up corner kicks that led to Rafael Morales’ goal in the seventh minute. A goal kick by Paulo Motta went most of the length of the field in the 15th and Carlos Ruiz ran onto the ball, came in alone on goalkeeper Tim Howard and doubled the lead.

Seeking their eighth straight World Cup berth, the Americans had been unbeaten in 21 games against Guatemala since January 1988 and had never lost to Los Chapines in World Cup qualifying but now face a high-pressured rematch Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio.

Trinidad and Tobago (2-1) leads Group C with seven points after rallying for a 3-2 win at St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday. Guatemala (2-0-1) is one point back. The US (1-1-1) has four points and St. Vincent (0-3) is last.

In September, the Americans play at St Vincent and host Trinidad to complete the regional semifinals. The top two teams advance to the six-nation regional finals.

Klinsmann already was criticized following his team’s semi-final elimination in last year’s Concacaf Gold Cup and a loss to Mexico in the Confederations Cup playoff.

He started Omar Gonzalez and Michael Orozco in central defense after John Brooks returned to Germany on Friday because of a bruised left knee and defender Matt Besler sustained a concussion in training Thursday. Fabian Johnson, a midfielder and defender who has a groin injury, didn't dress; midfielder Jermaine Jones is suspended; and Jozy Altidore, the top American forward, was limited to entering in the 66th minute as he recovers from yet another hamstring injury.

Howard started for the US at the last two World Cups but has lost his starting job at Everton and was appearing in his first match since 24 January.

Geoff Cameron started at right back rather in the more central role he usually plays for Stoke; DeAndre Yedlin started in midfield rather than right back, his position with Sunderland; and Mix Diskerud was in a defensive midfield role, which he doesn’t play for New York City.

Cameron switched to the center and Yedlin moved to right back when Gyasi Zardes entered in the 59th.

Edgar Castillo, the American left back, made a wide backpass that Howard couldn’t get to and rolled over the end line, leading to the first goal. Guatemala’s first corner kick was headed out by the U.S. defense, but on the second, Morales jumped over Mix Diskerud, who appeared to slip, to meet Jean Marquez’s corner. There was no defender on the line, and the ball went to the left of a diving Howard, just inside the post.

Ruiz then scored his 60th international goal when Motta’s goal kick went the length of the field, possibly glancing off Michael Bradley’s head. Ruiz burst past three Americans, ran onto the ball and slotted it under Howard from just inside the penalty area.

Alejandro Bedoya had the best US scoring chance in the first half when he was played through by Clint Dempsey at around the 23rd minute, but Motta blocked his shot.

Motta used his right leg to stop Dempsey’s eight-yard shot following a pass from Yedlin in the 52nd minute, then slid to stop Bedoya’s effort with his chest and had a kick save on Altidore in the 82nd, who was sent in alone by Dempsey. Guatemala hit the crossbar in the 70th.

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Let Friedel Reign Under 19's

Brad Friedel will take his first steps in management as head coach of the United States Under-19s.

The former Tottenham, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Liverpool goalkeeper ended his playing career in the summer at the age of 44.

Friedel earned 82 caps for the United States during a 13-year international career and has assisted various national youth team camps, as well as working with players at Tottenham’s academy.

“I look forward to the opportunity to help develop our young players into professionals and full internationals,” Friedel said.

“The last four years I have focused my coaching at the academy and development levels, and I’m excited to work with the entire group of committed youth national yeam staff members to increase our levels of development here in the United States.”

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Klinsmann Sets England Goal

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Jurgen Klinsmann says England must make the last eight of the 2014 World Cup to justify their status as one of football's "powerhouses".

Klinsmann, who currently coaches the United States, spent two seasons at Tottenham during his playing career.

"It's a must to go in to at least the quarter-final. It's as simple as that," he told Football Focus.

"They are definitely one of the powerhouses still in the world of football but they've got to prove it."

The USA, who have also qualified for the finals under the 49-year-old's leadership,play Scotland in a friendly at Hampden Park on Friday.

Klinsmann won 108 international caps and was part of the West Germany team that beat England in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals on their way to lifting the trophy.

While England have not matched that performance since at a World Cup, Germany have reached the semi-finals on another three occasions, finishing as runners-up in 2006.

Klinsmann believes that their historical record, combined with a current squad containing Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil and Bayern Munich duo Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze, has raised expectations among the German public.

"The way you put expectations on the German team is 'at least the final'," Klinsmann added.

"That's the expectations now because of that golden generation they're bringing through."

Germany will play England in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday. The two sides have won three meetings apiece in their six matches since the turn of the millennium.

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New Low for Germany

Joachim Low has signed a new two-year contract.

The 53-year-old, who replaced Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006, had been contracted until the 2014 World Cup but after guiding his side to Brazil will now stay on to the summer of 2016.

He said: "We're not yet at the end of our path and we still have big goals that we want to achieve together.

"I enjoy working with the team and the coaches and I feel a great deal of motivation to develop this team."

General manager Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeper coach Andreas Kopke have also signed new two-year deals.

Under Low, Germany lost the Euro 2008 final to Spain, were knocked out by the same opponents in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals and were also beaten by Italy in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.

If he sees out his new contract, Low will be the longest-serving manager of Germany since Helmut Schon was replaced in 1978 following 14 years in charge.

Low, who has the highest win percentage (68%) of any Germany manager, will bring his side to Wembley In November for one of two friendlies announced by England this week.

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• US clinches World Cup berth, beats Mexico 2-0

USA Klinsch Brazil Place

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The United States clinched its seventh straight World Cup appearance, getting second-half goals from Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan on Tuesday night for the now traditional 2-0 home qualifying win over Mexico.

"It's become its own monster. People want to come to Columbus and see U.S.-Mexico. It's almost like the mecca really for us," goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "You almost feel like it's our destiny to win here."

Noisy American fans stood and sang in Columbus Crew Stadium starting 1½ hours before kickoff, and about 1,000 stayed for an hour after the final whistle. The U.S. needed a win or a tie from Honduras against Panama to clinch with two games to spare, and the American supporters watched on the videoboard as the Catrachos held on for a 2-2 draw.

U.S. players crowded around a television in their locker room, and then sprayed bubbly and came back on the field to celebrate with the fans.

"It's great to do it sooner than later, but to get it against your rival is even sweeter," American captain Clint Dempsey said.

Following wins over Mexico in qualifiers by identical 2-0 scores at Columbus in 2001, 2005 and 2009, the U.S. Soccer Federation picked the same venue for this year's match. The capacity crowd of 24,584 taunted the Mexicans with chants of "You're not going to Brazil!"

"Amazing, amazing crowd," Klinsmann said. "Kind of pushed these guys."

Fans were so loud during "The Star-Spangled Banner" that anthem singer Kayleigh Schofield was forced to alter her tempo to match that of the crowd.

"I think it really got into Mexico's head, especially when we scored that first goal. You could see it on Mexico's face. They were really defeated," American defenderOmar Gonzalez said. "From that point on we really took control of the game."

After withstanding Mexican pressure for the first 20 minutes, the U.S. settled in the match and got the breakthrough in the 49th minute when Johnson outjumped defender Diego Reyes to meet Donovan's corner kick 8 yards out and head the ball past frozen goalkeeper Jesus Corona.

With Mexican shifting to an offense-minded 3-4-3 formation, the U.S. scored in the 78th following a throw in when Mix Diskerud threaded the ball across the middle. Dempsey got the slightest of touches as he slid into the goalmouth, and Donovan poked the ball in from 2 yards.

"Obviously this is a huge, huge evening for all of us," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "It's a huge milestone whenever you make it to a World Cup."

The top three teams qualify, and the U.S. had to wait an hour after the final whistle to learn it was assured of a spot in the 32-nation field for Brazil next June. But when Honduras (3-3-2) held on for a 2-2 tie against Panama (1-2-5) in Tegucigalpa, the Americans had grabbed a berth with two games to spare.

"We're continuing the growth of the game here in the sport, we're improving, getting better and we've got to make sure we do well in Brazil to keep it going," Dempsey said.

Mexico (1-2-5) dropped into fifth on goal difference and seems likely to be, at best, headed to a playoff against Oceania champion New Zealand.

U.S. players, many carrying large American flags on sticks, celebrated their win with a lap around the field, saluting the crowd the whole way. Then they went to the locker room to wait out the Honduras game. About 1,000 fans stuck around to watch on the videoboard, chanting for Honduras.

The plaudits and congratulations poured in Tuesday night on Twitter for the U.S.'s seventh straight World Cup berth. Kobe Bryant and Billie Jean King were among those honouring the U.S. squad's achievement.

Eddie Johnson, starting because of Jozy Altidore's suspension for yellow-card accumulation, nearly scored off Donovan's cross in the third minute of the second half, but the pass was just ahead of him.

A minute later, the U.S. took just its second corner kick of the match. Jermaine Jones and Johnson both broke in from behind the penalty spot, and Mexico was slow to react as Johnson scored his 12th goal in 21 qualifying appearances. He was mobbed by teammates near the U.S. bench as fans set off a smoke bomb.

"We've got some good height in the box, and this time I wanted to make sure I kept it down enough," Johnson said. "I was very fortunate it went in."

Donovan, his right eye squinting because of conjunctivitis, increased his U.S.-record goals total to 57, set off a nonstop singalong for the closing minutes of the match.

"You see it when we came in the stadium. It was rockin' already," Donovan said. "That's a real atmosphere. That's what we face when we go away, and it's nice that other teams have to face it when they come here."

And Mexico now has a tough challenge, hosting Panama on Oct. 11 before closing four days later at Costa Rica.

"They looked relatively timid and shy throughout. I've never seen a Mexico team look that way," Donovan said.

Dealing with an injury to midfielder Michael Bradley and yellow-card suspensions that also included defender Matt Besler and midfielder Geoff Cameron, Klinsmann had to make several changes from Friday's 3-1 loss at Costa Rica -- which ended the Americans' team-record 12-game winning streak.

Fabian Johnson shifted from midfield to the back line, and Clarence Goodson was among four new starters, joined by midfielders Kyle Beckerman and Alejandro Bedoya, and Eddie Johnson. Fabian Johnson strained his left hamstring and was replaced by Michael Parkhurst for the start of the second half.

Mexico dominated the first 20 minutes of the opening half and the last five, forcing Howard to make several sprawling saves.

"Once we weathered that storm, Mexico didn't have much in the second half," Gonzalez said.

Now the Americans can take it easy in the final two qualifiers, against Jamaica on Oct. 11 at Kansas City, Kan., and at Panama four days later. Exhibitions are likely at Scotland and Austria in November.

Klinsmann won the World Cup as a player with Germany in 1990 and coached his native country to the 2006 semifinals. He's lived in California for 15 years and understands the accomplishment.

As he spoke during his postgame news conference, he had a Starbucks cup in front of him, presumably filled with champagne.

"It's not Aquafina," he said, laughing.

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Dempsey Klinches Three Points

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Clint Dempsey is an attacker who is willing to throw his body around for the greater good and on Tuesday night, the rest of the United States team played just like him.

Dempsey had a couple of goals and assisted on Carlos Bocanegra's equalizer, and the U.S. finally showed some of the gritty, proactive style Klinsmann has been preaching to rally past Guatemala 3-1 and reach next year's final round of World Cup qualifying.

"They understood the moment," said Klinsmann, who has eschewed the defensive style embraced by former U.S. coach Bob Bradley for one predicated on always moving forward.

"We expected a very difficult qualifying campaign, and that's what this is," Klinsmann said. "We made clear we're the number one team in this group and the next round will be harder."

Facing their first elimination game in qualifying since 2000 and only second in 23 years, the Americans needed merely a draw to advance to the six-team finals in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The final round also will include Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama and Jamaica.

After Carlos Ruiz put Guatemala ahead in the fifth minute, Dempsey set up Bocanegra's goal in the 10th minute, then scored in the 18th and 36th to help the U.S. (4-1-1) -- seeking its seventh straight World Cup appearance -- top its semifinal group with 13 points.

"We're excited to get to the next round," said Dempsey, whose 30 international goals are tied with Brian McBride for third-most in American history. "But we know we need to step up our game."

Guatemala, which has never appeared in a World Cup, needed only a tie to advance, but was eliminated when Dane Richards scored two goals late in the second half in Jamaica's 4-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda. Guatemala and Jamaica were both 3-2-1 for 10 points apiece, but the Reggae Boyz overtook Guatemala on goal difference, plus-3 to plus-1.

Guatemala coach Ever Hugo Almeida declined to attend a postgame news conference.

"This was my last game," the 33-year-old Ruiz said. "I want to thank all the team, my family, my fans in Guatemala for all their support. It hurts not to go to a World Cup as a player but I will try to be with my national team in any other ways."

The U.S. dictated the pace from the opening minute, appearing far more aggressive than it did while struggling to a 2-1 victory over Antigua on a muddy cricket pitch last Friday.

Still, Los Chapines caused tension when they scored in the opening minutes.

Jose Contreras took possession in the midfield and sent a looping pass ahead to Ruiz, who managed to beat Bocanegra to the ball as Geoff Cameron was caught upfield. Ruiz rounded goalkeeper Tim Howard and side-footed the ball into the goal.

As if a harbinger, Ruiz appeared to hurt himself seconds after scoring.

He reached out to steady himself on the electronic signage near the field, and may have sliced his hand. He grimaced and immediately began shaking it while a trainer rushed out to tend to him.

The tying goal came just a few minutes later.

Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi, playing in his home stadium, sent a corner kick arcing into the penalty area, and Dempsey got just enough of it at the near post to redirect to Bocanegra, who was left alone by Manuel Leon near the far post and easily found the back of the net.

It was Bocanegra's 14th goal with the national team, moving him past Marcelo Balboa for the most among American defenders. It also generated a roar from a sellout crowd of 16,947 that would have been much larger if officials could have sold standing-room tickets.

"We were never going to give up today," Bocanegra said. "We knew we were going to get goals quickly and we got three of them."

The second came after Ruiz sent a header over the crossbar, and the American came on the counterattack. The ball was pushed ahead to Eddie Johnson on the wing, and he found Dempsey cutting to the net ahead of defender Jonathan Lopez, his goal giving the U.S. a 2-1 lead.

Johnson picked up an assist to go with the two goals he scored against Antigua in his first international appearance in two years.

Guatemala had a couple of other good scoring chances later in the half, including a shot by Contreras from a sharp angle that Howard knocked away, and a breakaway on which Ruiz was called for a foul on defender Steve Cherundolo near the top of the penalty area.

Cherundolo tried to shake hands with Ruiz, who was having none of it.

"We were just discussing what we were going to do after the game," Cherundolo said, smiling.

The U.S. pressure paid off again in the 36th minute, when Michael Bradley popped a pass over the sprawled-out Jerez and Dempsey tapped the ball across. Dempsey nearly had a hat trick when he just missed on a header early in the second half.

"It felt good after we got off to a slow start," Dempsey said. "It helps your confidence to get a couple of goals."

Failing to qualify for the World Cup would have been devastating for the U.S., still trying to regain the confidence it had when reaching the 2002 quarterfinals. The final round starts March 22.

"I think it's always better when you have very meaningful games and you have to prove yourself," Klinsmann said. "When there's something at stake, like a World Cup qualifier, they know they have to be spot on."

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Klinsmann Seeks Route 1 for USA

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There are other ways the U.S. could reach the final round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but the Americans are fixating now on the route that sounds easiest but will be the most difficult.

"The U.S. has to win these two final games," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "But we are facing them like finals and I'm sure that every player will give 110 percent."

If the Americans win their next two games, starting with a road test against Antigua and Barbuda on Friday night, they will move on no matter what happens in the other remaining Group A matchups.

Sputter in those games, though, and the Americans could be ousted long before anyone expected.

"I never had, as a player or as a coach, any issues with pressure," said the German. "We all have the highest expectations. I have the highest expectations for my own work. I'm very proud to have this opportunity, so I will do everything to give everything I have. And I know that if the players realise what this week is about, then we'll get the job done."

It's been a challenging few days already for the Americans, who summoned 24 players into camp for these matches -- the game at Antigua is followed by one in Kansas City, Kan., on Tuesday night against Guatemala. By the time the plane left Miami for Antigua on Thursday morning, that group was pared to 20, after Landon Donovan(knee), Brek Shea (abdominal), Edgar Castillo (foot) and Fabian Johnson (flu) were ruled out by injury and illness.

Johnson should be healthy enough to play Tuesday. Donovan, Shea and Castillo will not play in either match.

"We play in big games every week," U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "I don't think anyone's really worried or nervous. We've got winnable games. Whether we win them or not, we'll see."

The U.S., Guatemala and Jamaica all have seven points in the standings (three for a win, one for a tie, none for a loss) through four matches. Antigua and Barbuda has one point, and if the qualifying round ended after four matches, the Americans and Guatemalans would advance based on goal differential.

No matter what happens Friday in either the U.S.-Antigua or Guatemala-Jamaica matches, nothing will be decided until Tuesday. None of the three teams jostling for the two spots can advance or be eliminated Friday. However, with a win, any of those three teams would control its own fate heading into the final match.

"That's World Cup qualifying," Howard said. "Very few teams cruise through, no matter what region of the world you're in. World Cup qualifying is hard. It doesn't surprise us that we're here. It's never easy. I think we've qualified for the last five or six World Cups, whatever it's been, and I don't think we ever walked through qualifying. That's just the way it is, and we always seem to get the job done."

The U.S. beat Antigua 3-1 at Tampa, Fla., in its qualifying opener in June, a match that was hardly one-sided. It wasn't put away until the latter portion of the second half, when Herculez Gomez scored to wrap it up for the Americans, who acknowledged they were tested.

"You learn out of your mistakes," Klinsmann said.

And with Antigua having nothing to lose now, plus fuelled by being at home, another challenge is expected this time.

"They could have beaten Guatemala in both games. They tied Jamaica. This is not an easy game," Klinsmann said. "It's going to be a difficult game because, for them, it's the game of the decade. They want to prove everything against the United States."

U.S. Soccer officials said it's their understanding that the 10,000-seat venue in St. John's, Antigua, is sold out. About 80,000 people live on the island.

"We've got to come out with momentum," Gomez said.

It's equally important to leave with momentum. The Americans tied Guatemala 1-1 on the road in June, so that would suggest the game in Kansas City on Tuesday will be far from easy.

Klinsmann said he welcomes that part.

"This week, it's about points," he said. "It's about six points and moving on."

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USA Soccer Jamming Once Again

Spurred on by a roaring crowd decked out in red, white and blue, the United States used all of that emotion as fuel to pull off a significant World Cup qualifying victory.

The U.S. rebounded from a loss at Jamaica four nights earlier and moved back into a tie for its group lead by beating the Reggae Boyz 1-0 Tuesday night as Herculez Gomez curled in a free kick in the 55th minute.

It was a night when the only respite from the din from a capacity crowd of 23,881 was the moment of silence before the game in remembrance of the 11th anniversary of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"That was an awesome homecoming," Gomez said afterward, almost drowned out as fans left Crew Stadium chanting and cheering. "You couldn't ask for more. The crowd was great, and the guys fed off of it."

The U.S., which made five changes to its starting lineup from Friday's 2-1 loss in Kingston, is tied with Guatemala (2-1-1) at seven points in Group A of the North and Central American and Caribbean semifinals. Jamaica (2-1-1) also has seven points but trails on goal difference.

The top two nations advance to next year's six-team regional finals, which will produce three qualifiers for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Seeking its seventh straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. plays at virtually eliminated Antigua and Barbuda on Oct. 12, then completes the semis four days later against Guatemala at Kansas City, Kansas.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann celebrated the win -- then moved onto the next hurdle.

"We know it's not done yet," he said. "We know it's down to the wire. That's what World Cup qualifiers are about."

After hitting the frame three times in a dominant first half as goalkeeper Dwayne Miller made several sparkling saves, the U.S. went ahead following a foul by Rodolph Austin on Clint Dempsey. Gomez's drive from 28 yards went over the defensive wall and to the left of a diving Miller, who was only able to lightly brush the ball with his fingertips.

"That was my distance," Gomez said with a grin.

The instant the ball found the net, Gomez knew the gravity what it meant to his team's qualifying chances.

"It was important for us to regroup after what happened in Jamaica," Gomez said. "We knew it wasn't our best performance, and we had to step forward and apply today. With the help of the crowd, we pushed deep and persevered. It wasn't always pretty, but I think we did it very well."

The rowdy, partisan crowd -- exactly what U.S. team officials were expecting -- chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" all night, but particularly while the American players came to the stands to thank them after the victory.

The American players said they were thinking about the anniversary. Fans received small American flags to commemorate the anniversary and there was a moment of silence before kickoff.

Klinsmann spoke after the game of having New York City firefighters talk to the team on Monday night. He said one related calmly of what it was like that day at the World Trade Center.

"Everyone was aware," Klinsmann said of his players. "We all knew this was a very special day. The players were outstanding in how they handled it."

The 30-year-old Gomez, born to Mexican-American parents, grew up in Las Vegas and was a member of the U.S. team at the 2010 World Cup. It was his fifth international goal and second in qualifying this year.

It was a key moment for a U.S. team missing injured midfielders Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley. Failing to win would have put enormous pressure on the Americans to win their final two qualifiers this year.

"I feel comfortable on the ball, on a free kick, striking the ball," Gomez said. "Thankfully coach had confidence in me. So did my teammates. I struck it and it went in. I'm fortunate and happy."

While the U.S. dominated the first half with 79 percent possession, the Americans became disorganized in the final minutes when goalkeeper Tim Howard needed to push away Austin's shot.

Howard knew that the game would eventually tilt in his team's favor. The U.S. improved to 5-0-2 in World Cup qualifying and 6-0-3 overall at Crew Stadium.

"This is probably one of the best homefield advantages we have," he said. "We should play here more often."

Jamaica coach Theodore Whitmore wasn't surprised that the Americans reacted to the patriotic, cheering crowd.

"It was a different U.S. team," he said. "They came out early and they were pressing us. We didn't get any time to play until the second half."

Friday's loss at "The Office" had been the first for the Americans in 19 meetings between the nations. Klinsmann responded with large-scale changes.

Captain Carlos Bocanegra returned and took over in central defense from Clarence Goodson, suspended because of yellow-card accumulation. Steve Cherundolo, recovered from a strained right calf, replaced Michael Parkhurst at right back.

Klinsmann changed most of his midfield, keeping only Jermaine Jones and starting Danny Williams, Graham Zusi and Jose Torres in place of Kyle Beckerman and Maurice Edu. Dempsey moved from midfield to forward and started alongside Gomez, with Jozy Altidore going to the bench.

Zusi, playing his first competitive match for the national team, was the lone U.S. starter from Major League Soccer. He glanced a shot off the top of the crossbar from 18 yards in the sixth minute. Then in the 19th, Cherundolo's shot bounced off the near post after Miller got a hand on the ball.

Williams, playing his best half for the national team, curled a 25-yard shot off a post in the 26th minute -- resulting in loud, prolonged groans from fans who stood and cheered for most of the game.

The U.S. outshot Jamaica 10-3, including 8-0 in the first half -- quite a turnaround from Friday when the Americans were outshot 9-7 in a match played on a field criticized by the U.S. players.

"We moved the ball around, played with great emotion, and we're happy to get the points," Dempsey said.

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