Alright soccer fans, its almost time for the next qualifier. While probably not as hyped as the Mexico game, this game is just as if not more important (especially after getting nothing in Mexico City). Anything less than 3 points will be a disaster and put the US in a bad position...recoverable, but bad nonetheless.

Guatemala is getting stronger. Ruiz has always been a goalscorer as MLS fans know but he has often lacked the service from the midfield requried to be affective. Now Guatemala is getting some young players in the midfield that seem to be able to get him the kind of service a forward needs.

Will Donovan play? I think the answer is yes, as I imagine Arena's statement concerning his club distraction was as much motivational as anything else but if he disappears in this match, I wouldn't be surprised to see him subbed out.

Will the backline show some backbone? Granted they haven't played together as a unit much but they were awful against Mexico. With Pope and Hejduk still out (I think) you will probably see the same backline except Gibbs could take Onyewu's spot.

Will we actually get two forwards in the game? I think you can bank on it (McBride and Johnson?)

We already know that Beasely isn't going to play due to yellow card accumulation but Lewis will do fine on the left. Look for Ralston or someone to take over for Donovan on the right so he can play in the center as per the norm. They should get the points they need...2-1 US.

If the US doesn't pull some points from this game I would feel that it is a huge dissapoinment, but with that said the big name teams sometimes have a bad run and miss out on the World Cup.

As for Donovan, there is no way he doesn't play the whole game. Arena has had a history of making comments like this to Donovan to motivate him.

I'd like to see Dempsey instead of Ralston for Beasley. I hate losing Beasley, but I think Dempsey can be servicable in his spot, but won't have the same speed and tracking back ability.

As for Gibbs coming in. I'd rather see Onyewu in there than Berhalter, due to Berhalter's lack of athleticism. But really, between Onyewu's inexperience and Berhalter's lack of athleticism I think the difference is negligable.

Its only the third game out of 14...in no way is this the end of the road for the US even with a loss.

The end of the road, no. But it would put us in the start of being in a tight spot. We need to win all of the games at home. I don't want us to just qualify I want us to be qualified with a couple of games to go.

Any home game is more important than the away Mexico game. Just not as hyped. I kind of wish this game was being played further up north..like Columbus or on the north east coast..we need a huge US fan support for this game. Anyone hear how ticket sales have been? Our team is going to need a boost after having to turn around and play a game after playing such a difficult away game.

I have no doubt that both the U.S. and Mexico will qualify, regardless of what happens today. Remember that four of these six teams left could go to the finals.

But today is a huge game, especially because it's at home and Guatemala is now ahead of us in the table. We don't want to start a losing streak.

It's also important because I hate Ruiz.

The LA Galaxy and him can suckle on this!
(motion towards crotch)

My understanding is that Arena didn't want a long trip back from Mexico and wanted to be close to sea level. Birmingham has supported women's teams well and US Soccer has marketed the game much more than usual. That being said, a large contingent of Guatemala fans are expected...somewhere in the neighborhood of 3000.

You know, if that same percentage of fans to total population would just show up at our home games that would be 61,000 people.

Sooner, Hope you're not a FC Dallas fan because they just acquired Ruiz today.

Nope, a Rapids fan. And Ruiz can still suck it. But FC Dallas is going to be really hard to beat with Ruiz and Eddie Johnson up top. Although, if Eddie continues his tear of International goals, he won't be playing in the MLS much longer. Perhaps that is why FC Dallas wanted to acquire Ruiz.

I need to get back into the Dallas Burn. They still called that?

Anyway, I went to a USA-Guatemala match at Safeco one year. All latinos support each other against the US, so expect some Mexicans and others.

No Burn, just FC Dallas now.

Did y'all see that Costa Rica and T&T tied? That is a good result for the US.

1-0 to the US at halftime. Eddie Johnson with the goal.

"We don't believe in moral victories." - Chris Walker

On the bandwagon since birth. Raised in the bleachers of Kyle, Olsen, and G. Rollie White

Wow, these refs are unbelieveably one sided.

Wow, they just had ANOTHER bad call that tooka way a US goal.

FINALLY a goal that counts.

2 nil US.

US wins 2-0

"We don't believe in moral victories." - Chris Walker

On the bandwagon since birth. Raised in the bleachers of Kyle, Olsen, and G. Rollie White

I was actually pissed about this game...we should have won by 3 or 4 goals but we just refused to go for the throat...that trait could come back and haunt us

Ref sucked big time.

Offense looked much better than they did on Sunday. Good job there. I would've started McBride instead of Ching, but I think Arena was hoping the familiarity between Donovan and Ching would pay off. Backline still looked weak at times, giving up a few chances that shouldn't have ever happened. But Gibbs played better than expected. Keller was excellent again.

Overall, I'm very happy with the performance today, except that we should have had at least four goals.

Bonus: Mexico tied Panama 1-1. Did anyone else see that Panama goal? It was awesome. One of the best strikes I've seen in a while.

CONCACAF standings after all teams have played 3 of 10 games:

Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts
MEX 3 2 0 1 5 3 +2 7
USA 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 6
GUA 3 1 1 1 5 3 +2 4
CRC 3 1 1 1 3 3 4 4
PAN 3 0 1 2 2 3 -1 2
TRI 3 0 2 1 2 7 -5 1

Mexico and Panama tie 1-1, another good result for the US. Hopefully June 4th we'll be playing in match form as the season is set to start soon. It always hurts that our national team is coming off of a 5 month layoff to start WC qualifying, esp with our biggest game at the beginning of qualifying (away to Mexico). And Rice sucks! why Rice?

I would call a 14-3 shot advantage at halftime going for the throat....they just need to finish better.

Missed opportunities:

Ching's one time volley right in front of the goal off the cross from Eddie Lewis was the best chance that they let get away. That was a brilliant counter-attack.

Eddie Johnson's bicycle kick was pretty cool. The Guatemala keeper did a great job of staying on top of that play and made a really good save. I don't think Eddie got as much power on that as he hoped, though.

Donovan's disallowed goal on that marginal offsides call.

Could have easily been 4 or 5 to none. Of course, Guatemala missed a great chance on that defensive lapse in the 2nd half where Keller made that great save. And on that free kick right outside the box where they hit the wall.

Good effort by the good guys though. Guatemala tried to play aggressive and physical, but they couldn't hang with the athleticism and speed of the US.

The ref sucked but I'd say that he sucked equally for both teams. I thought everyone played very well with the exception of Ching. To be fair he wasn't horrible but he not only missed a sitter from the Lewis cross (completely unmarked mind you) but he had a good chance on a header off a corner that he didn't even put on target. He's a good forward who can't finish (if that makes sense)

Backline did a good job of stopping Ruiz and Donovan actually looked for the ball this game. All in all a good game. Next game is against England in the Memorial Day friendly. For all those interested, tickets went on sale today.

Actually I like Ching a lot. (didn't he tie Ruiz for the league lead in goals scored?)..I think he just had an off day finishing..I like the fact that he kept getting into position to score. That said, why is McBride on the sidelines so much now? Is he in Arena's doghouse? To me he has become an excellent finisher...maybe saving him for later on in qualifying?

I also agree..the ref sucked for both sides and that game could easily have gotten out of control.

i thought it did get out of control at times...

It seems to me Ching has a lot of off days finishing but he did get in good positions so his presence alone did help.

McBride hasn't been playing for the national team because he hasn't seen regular time with Fulham. Until last weekend, he hadn't played since early Feb and even that was coming off the bench. With his goal against Portsmouth and more importantly, his addition completely changing a game in which Portsmouth were dominating, hopefully he'll get to see some more time and work his way back into a starting role with the US.