USA Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: USMNT Just Barely Hanging On

There is only one thing that matters in World Cup qualifying -- the result. The United States may have been poor all match and an argument can easily be made that Guatemala has been better, but they are just 15 minutes away from three points and in qualifying that is all that matters.

Guatemala is really pouring the pressure on now. They have had the bulk of the chances and have had good ones at that. They just missed the post on several occasions and Marco Pappa forced Tim Howard into a brilliant save to keep this one level. It's been all Guatemala, but zero goals and that is all that matters.

There are 15 minutes left for the U.S. to hold on. They don't need to be good and they don't need to impress. They just need to hold on.

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USA Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Marco Pappa's Brilliant Free Kick Levels

The United States did not really deserve to be ahead after 83 poorly played minutes and now they aren't thanks to Marco Pappa. The Guatemalan hit an absolutely gorgeous free kick up and over the U.S. wall, then dipped it under the bar to beat a helpless Tim Howard. The crowd in Guatemala City exploded and the match was level at 1-1.

The foul was one of many that the U.S. has given away and Guatemala finally took advantage. The free kick was from a tick outside of 20 yards and it was a gem. Pappa should be on every highlight video for that one because it was as well hit as it could have been.

Meanwhile, the U.S. can't feel too hard done. Guatemala has had more chances, has looked more confident and has been the all-around better side. For Guatemala to lose would have been harsh and now they aren't. With seven minutes plus extra time to go now, the U.S. needs to regroup because if any team is going to score a winner it looks like it would be Guatemala.

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USA Vs. Guatemala Final Score, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Marco Pappa Steals 1-1 Draw

The United States is in pole position to make the hexagonal from their World Cup qualifying third-round group, but they will still be disappointed to walk away from Guatemala with just a draw. The USMNT held a lead for the majority of the second half, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw thanks to a brilliant free kick equalizer from Marco Pappa.

Clint Dempsey scored the United States' goal in the 40th minute, putting the finishing touch on the team's only truly great attacking move in the first half. Fabian Johnson was the architect, providing the assist with a great run up the left flank, then a pass to the feet of Dempsey. He stepped past a defender and placed a low shot into the back of the net at the far post, giving the United States a lead at the end of a poorly played first half.

The United States didn't play much better in the second half, though they did have one good goal disallowed. In the 76th minute, Maurice Edu was hacked down on the edge of the penalty area, but the ball fell to substitute Jozy Altidore, who scored. Unfortunately for him and the USMNT, the goal was called back on a whistle. Inexplicably, the referee failed to play advantage and wiped out the goal.

That would prove to be a key decision seven minutes later, when Pappa netted the equalizer. His free kick came from 25 yards out and completely fooled Tim Howard, who was left standing still as the shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the goal.

Howard was tested much more than anyone could have expected, and even though the United States had a goal wiped out by a bad call, Guatemala should have scored two or three times before Altidore's disallowed goal. Howard made a number of excellent saves, with his biggest moment coming in the 72nd minute. He made a great save on a set piece, and Carlos Ruiz sent a rebound attempt miles over the crossbar when it would have been easier to hit the target.

Jurgen Klinsmann and the USMNT won't be very pleased with their play, and there will be plenty for the team to work on when they get back together at the end of the summer, but a draw in Guatemala isn't an awful result, and they're still heavy favorites to win the group and comfortably advance to the hexagonal round of qualifying.

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USA Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Referee Robs USMNT Of A Goal

The United States has to be irate right now because they just scored to go up 2-0 on Guatemala, but the referee waved it off. Instead of counting Jozy Altidore's goal, he whistled for a foul a half-second earlier, apparently unaware of this thing called "advantage."

It was a pretty textbook play. The ball was at the top of the box on Clint Dempsey's foot when he was fouled. The ball squirted free right to Altidore, who was in all alone on goal. He slide the ball into the side netting and goal, right! Wrong. The referee, fixated on the foul blew the whistle, awarded a free kick and did not award the goal. It was exactly why advantage exists, yet the referee decided not to play it for reasons only he knows.

If Guatemala scores, this one is going to sting for the U.S. They should be up 2-0 and instead are just up 1-0.

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U.S. ties Guatemala in World Cup qualifying

Marco Pappa’s 83rd minute free kick gave Guatemala a 1-1 home draw against the United States in their CONCACAF 2014 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

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Clint Dempsey put the United States ahead in the 40th minute, but Fabian Johnson pulled down Carlos Ruiz just outside the penalty area to set up the late free kick in a dangerous position. Pappa, a Chicago Fire midfielder, put a 24-yard shot just under the crossbar that froze goalkeeper Tim Howard.

It was a disappointing result for the 28th-ranked Americans, who failed for long stretches to impose their will against 85th-ranked Guatemala, a team that has never qualified for the World Cup.

Seeking its seventh straight World Cup finals appearance, the U.S. has four points from two games, topping Group A on goal difference over Jamaica. Guatemala, plus Antigua and Barbuda, each have one point, with the top two teams in each of the three regional groups to progress to a six-nation stage which will determine the three qualifiers for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

The Americans extended their unbeaten streak against Guatemala to 18 games since 1988.

Dempsey scored his 27th international goal off a play that started with a short pass from Johnson on the left. Dempsey cut across to his right, talking touches as he sidestepped Carlos Gallardo and Erwin Morales, then wrong-footed the goalkeeper from 16 yards.

It was Dempsey’s 28th goal of the season for club and country, including 23 for England’s Fulham.

Just before the goal, Howard made a diving save on Carlos Figueroa’s open 10-yard shot.

Ruiz nearly equalized in first-half stoppage time, hooking just wide on a left-footed shot from the top of the arc. When the second half started, Guatemala just missed with a header that went narrowly over the crossbar following a corner.

Guatemala argued unsuccessfully for a penalty early in the second half after American defender Carlos Bocanegra kicked a clearance up off his own hand.

Howard made a diving stop on Rodriguez’s 5-yard in shot in the 69th after a corner was headed in front of the goal. Then, with the net wide open, Ruiz skied the rebound over the crossbar.

Altidore put the ball in the net in the 79th, but play was called back for a foul.

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Peliculas Online

Jamaica Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Reggae Boyz Win 2-1

If anyone was going to challenge the United States for first place in Group A of the third round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, it was going to be Jamaica and they started off the round right on Friday. The Reggae Boyz got goals just before and after halftime to beat Guatemala, 2-1, and grab three points at home.

Demar Phillips got the opening tally for Jamaica, scoring in the 41st minute to get the Reggae Boyz a lead they deserved after a good opening to the match. They would take that 1-0 lead into halftime, but just one minute into the second half Ryan Johnson scored to double the lead for the home side.

Dwight Pezzarossi got a goal back for Guatemala in the 90th minute, but it was too late by then. Jamaica had lived up to the hyped of the group's top challenger to the favored U.S. with a solid 90 minutes and a deserved three points.

After one day, Jamaica and the U.S. are tied atop Group A with three points each. Guatemala is at the bottom of the group with Antigua and Barbuda without a point.

View the original article here

Peliculas Online

Jamaica Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Reggae Boyz Win 2-1

If anyone was going to challenge the United States for first place in Group A of the third round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, it was going to be Jamaica and they started off the round right on Friday. The Reggae Boyz got goals just before and after halftime to beat Guatemala, 2-1, and grab three points at home.

Demar Phillips got the opening tally for Jamaica, scoring in the 41st minute to get the Reggae Boyz a lead they deserved after a good opening to the match. They would take that 1-0 lead into halftime, but just one minute into the second half Ryan Johnson scored to double the lead for the home side.

Dwight Pezzarossi got a goal back for Guatemala in the 90th minute, but it was too late by then. Jamaica had lived up to the hyped of the group's top challenger to the favored U.S. with a solid 90 minutes and a deserved three points.

After one day, Jamaica and the U.S. are tied atop Group A with three points each. Guatemala is at the bottom of the group with Antigua and Barbuda without a point.

View the original article here

Peliculas Online

Jamaica Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Reggae Boyz Win 2-1

If anyone was going to challenge the United States for first place in Group A of the third round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, it was going to be Jamaica and they started off the round right on Friday. The Reggae Boyz got goals just before and after halftime to beat Guatemala, 2-1, and grab three points at home.

Demar Phillips got the opening tally for Jamaica, scoring in the 41st minute to get the Reggae Boyz a lead they deserved after a good opening to the match. They would take that 1-0 lead into halftime, but just one minute into the second half Ryan Johnson scored to double the lead for the home side.

Dwight Pezzarossi got a goal back for Guatemala in the 90th minute, but it was too late by then. Jamaica had lived up to the hyped of the group's top challenger to the favored U.S. with a solid 90 minutes and a deserved three points.

After one day, Jamaica and the U.S. are tied atop Group A with three points each. Guatemala is at the bottom of the group with Antigua and Barbuda without a point.

View the original article here