USMNT completes Gold Cup prep with 4-0 win over Guatemala

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Men’s National team, behind a Guatemala own-goal and scores from Timmy Chandler, Clint Dempsey and Chris Wondolowski concluded its preparation for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 3-0 win in front of a Tennessee state record crowd of 44,835 at Nissan Field in Nashville.

Dempsey has made a habit of scoring against Guatemala. His penalty kick goal in the 73rd minute was his fifth against the Central American nation. Chandler’s goal was the first of his international career with the USA and Wondolowski has now reached doubled-digit goals in his U.S. career.

The stage is now set for MNT’s run in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where the team will look to defend its 2013 title. The USA starts group play on Tuesday, July 7, with a match against Honduras at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The game will be broadcast live FOX Sports 1, UniMas and UDN.

Goal Scoring Rundown:

USA – Carlos Castrillo (own goal) 19th minute: Michael Bradley split two defenders with a through ball along the right side, which the speedy DeAndre Yedlin took toward the endline, where he sent in a cross. Castillo stooped to head the ball back to his ‘keeper, but put his clearance past a scrambling Paulo Motta and into the bottom right corner of the goal. USA 1, GUA 0 (SEE GOAL )

USA – Timmy Chandler (own goal) 58th minute: DeAndre Yedlin cut back in the wide right channel  and passed to Timmy Chandler, who was open in support. Chandler took a controlling dribble to his left and sent an absolute rocket into the lower left corner of the goal from 25 yards out. USA 2, GUA 0 ( SEE GOAL)

USA – Clint Dempsey (Penalty Kick) 73rd minute: Michael Bradley was fouled in the box to set the USA up with its second penalty of the game. Dempsey stepped up to take it and calmly chipped it in over the diving goalkeeper. USA 3, GUA 0 ( SEE GOAL)

USA – Chris Wondolowski (Gyasi Zardes) 86th minute: Gyasi Zardes fielded a Dempsey lob on the left side of the box and dribbled all the way down to the end line. As he approached the goal Motta came off his line, but Zardes tiptoed around him and tapped a right footed pass back to Wondolowski, who buried from close range. USA 4, GUA 0 ( SEE GOAL) FINAL

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA – Brad Guzan, (save) 33rd minute: Guatemala’s Carlos Mejia sent in a dangerous cross in front of goal where Jairo Arreola was finishing his run. Guzan, sensing the danger, took a quick step and slid in front, denying he opportunity.

USA – Brad Guzan, (save) 39th minute: Guatemala earned a free kick on the right side. A high, looping cross found Wilson Lalin on the back post. Lalin sent a header back across the mouth of the goal, but Guzan was ready, smothering the shot and falling on it safely.

USA – Brad Guzan, (save) 46th minute: Guatemala broke away at the start of the second half with an early attack. A cross in from the right side bounced around and ended up at the feet of Carlos Ruiz, who quickly ripped a left-footed shot at goal. Guzan dove and brought down the shot for the save.

Next on the Schedule: The U.S. MNT begins play in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup when it takes on Honduras on July 7 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT.
Broadcast information:  FOX Sports 1, UniMas, UDN

Milestone Watch:

• Midfielder Michael Bradley is just a game away from the century cap mark. He now has 99 appearances since debuting for the MNT in 2006. He is in sole possession of 16th place on the MNT all-time list.
• Timmy Chandler scored his first international goal in his 22nd appearance with the USA.
• Brad Guzan earned his 10th career shutout, to move into a tie with Arnie Mausser for fifth on the U.S. MNT’s all-time list.
• Clint Dempsey scored his 41st goal, affirming his standing in the No. 2 position on the USA’s all-time goal scoring list. The goal was his fifth against Guatemala.

Additional Notes:

• The back four of Timmy Chandler, Omar Gonzalez, John Brooks and Fabian Johnson was 12th different back four the U.S. has deployed in the team’s 13 matches since last summer’s FIFA World Cup.
• Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi made his first MNT appearance of 2015, having last played in the team’s 1-1 draw with Honduras on Oct. 14, 2014 in Boca Raton, Fla.
• The United States is 14-4-6 all-time against Guatemala. The MNT is unbeaten in the last 20 games, which is the team’s longest streak against any nation and dates back to 1988. Five of the last six games have been wins for the USA.
• The U.S. has outscored Guatemala 10-0 in its last two matches.
• The MNT is unbeaten against Guatemala on U.S. soil, improving their record to 15-0-1
• Chris Wondolowski also scored against Guatemala in the MNT’s last matchup with Central Americans in 2013.

– U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match:  U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Guatemala
Date:  July 3, 2015
Competition:  International Friendly
Venue:  Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn.
Kickoff:  6 p.m. CT
Attendance:  44,835
Weather:  76 degrees; Cloudy

Scoring Summary:   1          2          F
USA                          1          3          4
GUA                          0          0          0

USA – Carlos Castrillo (own goal)                  19th minute
USA – Timmy Chandler (DeAndre Yedlin)      58
USA – Clint Dempsey (penalty)                     72
USA – Chris Wondolowski (Gyasi Zardes)      86

Lineups:
USA: 1-Brad Guzan; 21-Timmy Chandler, 3-Omar Gonzalez (13-Ventura Alvarado, 46), 6-John Brooks (15-Tim Ream, 61), 23-Fabian Johnson (14-Greg Garza, 46); 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 10-Mix Diskerud (7-Alfredo Morales, 61), 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 19-Graham Zusi (20-Gyasi Zardes, 46); 8-Clint Dempsey, 17-Jozy Altidore (18-Chris Wondolowski, 68)
Subs Not Used : 12-Nick Rimando, 22-William Yarbrough, 16-Brad Evans, 5-Kyle Beckerman, 11-Alejandro Bedoya, 9-Aron Johannsson
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

GUA: 12-Paulo Motta (capt.), 2-Ruben Morales, 4-Wilson Lalin, 13-Carlos Castrillo (19-Carlos Figueroa, 74), 15-Deniss Lopez; 6-Carlos Mejia (18-Aslinn Rodas, 84), 14-Kendel Herrarte (10-Jose Contreras, 46), 17-Brandon De Leon (8-Jonathan Marquez, 69), 23-Jorge Aparicio, 7-Jairo Arreola (16-Marco Pappa, 46), 22-Minor Lopez (20-Carlos Ruiz, 46)
Subs Not Used: 1-Victor Ayala, 21-Ricardo Jerez; 3-Jose Pinto, 11-Gerardo Arias
Head coach: Ivan Franco Sopegno

Stats Summary: USA / GUA
Shots: 9 / 13
Shots on Goal: 6 / 4
Saves: 4 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 1
Fouls: 11 / 11
Offside: 6 / 3

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Mix Diskerud (caution)            35th minute
USA – Michael Bradley (caution)       48
GUA – Carlos Castrillo (caution)        71
GUA – Carlos Ruiz (caution)              71
USA – Timmy Chandler (caution)      81

Officials:
Referee: Jorge Perez (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Rangel (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Salvador Rodriguez (MEX)
4th Official: Jorge Rojas (MEX)

Budweiser Man of the Match: Timmy Chandler