US Takes Care of Business Beating Guatemala 2-0

The US Mens National Soccer Team closed out the last game of the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying with a solid 2-0 win over Guatemala in Colorado.  The loss eliminated Guatemala from the competition for a spot to play in South Africa 2010.

With the group already won Bob Bradley picked another young side for the match.  Veterans Pablo Mastroeni and Ricardo Clark manned the middle, but they were surrounded by primarily an under 24 squad of talent.  Freddy Adu, Kenny Cooper and Jozy Altidore led an attack that produced many scoring chances in the first half of play.  None found the net though and the game went 0-0 to half.

The US came out strong in the 2nd half and were rewarded in the 54th minute when Altidore played a great ball that found a sliding Kenny Cooper at the back post for the opening goal.  Just 15 minutes later Altidore was in on goal and was grabbed by the Guatemalan defender.  A free kick was awarded and Freddy Adu produced some magic curling the ball around the wall and into the net.

The Americans now await the final round draw that will be held this weekend.  The 6 teams for the CONCACAF final round are Honduras, Mexico, Trinidad, USA, Costa Rica and El Salvador.  The top 3 finishers earn passage to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.