The U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Guatemala 6-0 in San Diego to tune up for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup in style.
USA scores 6-0, wins against Guatemala.
MNT vs. Guatemala: Landon Donovan Second Goal – July 5, 2013
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The U.S. has won five straight matches for the first time since 2011-12, when the Americans capped off 2011 with a 3-2 win against Slovenia on Nov. 15, and then won the first four matches of 2012. The last time the U.S. won five straight in a calendar year was a six-game winning streak in 2008, with every match taking place in 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
Gomez gave the U.S. a well-deserved 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute as the USA capitalized on a major advantage in ball possession throughout the half. Jose Torres lofted the ball into the box towards Joe Corona, but his lunge just missed the cross, allowing the ball to skip to Gomez at the far post. He was all alone and hit a first-time blast from close range past Guatemala goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez Jr. It was the sixth career goal for Gomez and the first career assist for Torres.
The goals came in bunches for the U.S. in the second half with Donovan leading the surge. He drew a penalty kick about 10 minutes after the break after he was shoved to the ground by Guatemala’s Carlos Castrillo. Donovan took the penalty and drove it straight up the middle as Jerez dove to his right.
Wondolowski pushed the U.S. lead to 3-0 in the 71st minute with his first goal in 12 career appearances. Donovan set up the sequence with a dashing run that unbalanced Guatemala’s defense, and even though a Guatemalan defender got a touch to his slipped pass into the penalty area, Wondolowski found himself at the right place at the right time off the deflection, burying his right-footed shot into the right corner.
One minute later, Donovan notched his second tally and 51st of his career off of a perfect cross from Stuart Holden who had popped free down the right wing. Donovan got behind four Guatemalan defenders and smashed his volley into the left corner of the net.
Goodson gave the U.S. a 5-0 lead with his fourth international goal in the 84th minute. His initial shot after a deft collection under pressure inside the penalty area was blocked both by Jerez and Enrique Miranda near the goal line, but Goodson was first to the rebound near the right post and roofed his second opportunity from close range, albeit a tough angle, for the unassisted tally.
Bedoya capped off the scoring in the 88th minute after substitute Brek Shea had burst free down the left flank off a fantastic first-time pass from Stuart Holden. Shea hit a cross on the ground that evaded several Guatemala defenders and U.S. attackers and rolled to a trailing and unmarked Bedoya, who drove his shot just inside the right post past the charging Jerez.
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