US to open World Cup semifinal qualifying in Guatamala

The journey to the 2010 FIFA World Cup resumes on Wednesday August 20th when the US National Team takes on Guatemala on MatchDay 1 of Semifinal Round qualifying for South Africa. Kickoff at the Estadio Mateo Flores is set for 10pm ET and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Galavision. The team traveled from Miami to Guatemala City on Monday afternoon where they were met by team captain Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu. The US will train in the stadium Tuesday evening, just over 24 hours from kickoff.

The Americans have won only once in 9 tries on Guatemalan soil and that was way back in 1988.  In World Cup qualifying matches in Guatemala, the USA has tied all 4 games so the Americans will have their work cut out for them.  

All 18 American players were part of the roster that handed Barbados an 8-0 defeat in the first leg of Second Round qualifying on June 15 at The Home Depot Center. Additionally, all six of the USA’s goalscorers in the Barbados series, Michael Bradley, Ching (2), Dempsey (2), Donovan, Johnson and Lewis, will be on hand. 

After the trip to Gautemala, the US National Team will play their 2nd qualifying match in Cuba on September 6th.

US ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 3/2 SO)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 13/1), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 15/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 11/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 8/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 16/4), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen: 2/1), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC: 1/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 1/0), Eddie Lewis (Derby County: 19/3), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 10/0)
FORWARDS (4): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 7/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 21/8), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 8/2), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC: 8/8)