With the 4-nil win the USA wins their group and will host Mexico on November 11th.
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Goals from Sacha Kljestan, Paul Arriola, and Jozy Altidore helped secure the United States the top spot in their respective World Cup Qualifying group.
Instead, Klinsmann’s side should be patient in their passing game, knowing things will open up sooner or later if the likes of Kljestan has permission to play some balls over the top or in behind the defensive line.
As for Pulisic, who scored twice and assisted once in a reserve role Friday and is seeking his first USA start, Klinsmann said the 17-year-old attacker is a “very special talent”. The Borussia Dortmund starlet can provide a boost of energy and creativity from the bench, and he could be the ideal substitute should the team need a late goal. With Tuesday’s appearance, Howard will surpass Kasey Keller for most qualifiers by a USA goalkeeper.
Tim Howard started in goal, making his 32nd World Cup qualifying appearance and moving past Kasey Keller for the most among American goalkeepers.
The U.S., who blasted St. Vincent and the Grenadines 6-0 on Friday, will bring confidence into the next round of qualifying which begins with a match against Mexico in November.
Completing a trio of shining performances was Altidore.
In the upcoming bout, which will be decisive for the United States team, it determined the fate of the team in this season’s qualification for the World Cup.
“[Goalkeeper] Marvin Phillips made two fantastic saves to keep us in the game and unfortunately Guatemala scored and we should have handled it better … we should have kept the ball more effectively”.
Less than four minutes later Altidore had his second of the game and 16th in World Cup qualifying. On the play, Fabian Johnson dribbled into the penalty area and passed to Pulisic who tried to cross to Altidore on a far-post run.
United States of America had to wait until the 31st minute for their first real chance on Tuesday as an Altidore cross led to 17-year-old Christian Pulisic hitting the post.
That healthy goal difference has left Klinsmann with room to experiment with his line-up – and fuelled hope that the 17-year-old Pulisic may start.
It put the cap on an encouraging two-games for the USA, picking itself back up after the disappointment of being dominated by Argentina in the semifinals of the Copa America.
31st minute: Christian Pulisic sends a shot off both posts off a cross from Jozy Altidore.
Certainly the tests will get harder in the Hexagonal, starting with what is now its opening contest.
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The U.S.is onto the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
