The United States didn't just need a win tonight in Columbus, Ohio. They needed a statement.
Four goals later the USA had dispatched Guatemala and retaken second place in Group C of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, silencing the questions about last Friday's loss for at least a day.
Clint Dempsey got the USMNT started in the in the 12th minute, after a long ball toward Gyasi Zardes fell to him at the top of the box. Dempsey, starting in the center forward role in a 4-3-3, smashed home the opener past Guatemala keeper Paulo Motta, the hero for Los Chapines on Friday.