Thu Aug 21 00:13:52 2008

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Bocanegra's header helps USA hold off Guatemala

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Guatemala City, Guatemala (Sports Network) - Carlos Bocanegra scored in the 68th minute to help the United States down Guatemala, 1-0 at Mateo Flores on Wednesday in a World Cup qualifier.

The USA is now 5-0-4 against Guatemala all-time in World Cup qualifying, although Wednesday's win marks the first time that the Americans have won a game in Guatemala.

A slow first half gave way to an eventful second half that saw one player from each team sent off, while Guatemala produced some threatening chances that very easily could have earned them a draw.

Neither side was able to generate a lot of offense in the opening half, with Guatemala first testing American goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 37th minute. Jose Manuel Contreras found room near the top of the box and took a pass before driving a low shot towards the bottom left corner. Howard reacted well and got down to turn the shot away, and the USA soon carved out a rare look at goal minutes later.

Brian Ching took a long ball down off his chest outside the box, and he turned quickly before firing a shot just over the crossbar.

Guatemala started to put some pressure on the USA defense early in the second half as the Americans gave away possession very easily in their own end.

Freddy Garcia played a dangerous low ball into the box for Contreras at the near post but Bocanegra was there to get a foot on the ball. Mario Rodriguez then got into the box on the right after a turnover and ripped a shot wide of the far post.

The home side was getting the better of the play, and they soon had a numerical advantage when Steve Cherundolo picked up his second yellow card in the 60th minute. However, Guatemala was reduced to 10 men three minutes later when Gustavo Cabrera received a straight red card for a flying elbow to the head of Eddie Lewis, who had to be taken off with a bad cut.

The Americans have been very successful from dead-ball situations under head coach Bob Bradley, and they created a good chance in the 68th minute when Landon Donovan's floated ball from midfield was redirected on goal by Oguchi Onyewu, which forced Guatemala keeper Ricardo Trigueno to tip the ball over the net.

The ensuing corner kick then produced the game's only goal as DaMarcus Beasley swung the ball into the box and Bocanegra was left wide open in front of goal for an easy header to put his team ahead.

Guatemala pushed men forward in the final 10 minutes in search of an equalizer, but Howard and the rest of the American defenders did well to preserve the win by holding them off.

The next qualifier for the United States will come on September 6, when the team makes its first visit to Cuba since 1947.