The U.S. national team’s disastrous first half in Guatemala City took its first terrible turn in the seventh minute. It grew worse before 15 minutes had passed, and by the end of a dreadful Friday night, Jurgen Klinsmann and the Americans were stuck with a 2-0 defeat to Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier.
Defender Rafael Morales scored first. Forward Carlos Ruiz, who has bedeviled the United States since 2000, added the second goal at delirious Estadio Mateo Flores as Los Chapines ended a 21-game winless streak against the Americans and beat the regional titans in a qualifier for the first time in 13 attempts.