'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Landon Donovan was left off the 29-man U.S. roster for a training camp ahead of a trio of World Cup qualifiers next month. But American coach Jurgen Klinsmann anticipates he will rejoin the team at some unspecified point.
Tim Howard remains the No. 1 American goalkeeper despite two strong games by Brad Guzan in World Cup qualifiers last month.
The United States heads into World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico with an inexperienced defense after dropping captain Carlos Bocanegra and learning eight players are injured or ill.
The 33-year-old Bocanegra, captain since 2007, has lost his starting job with Racing Santander in Spain's second division. He was in the U.S. squad for the 2-1 loss at Honduras last month in the final round of qualifying but didn't play.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard was the captain for the match in San Pedro Sula as the Americans opened the final round of qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Chandler took over on the right from Steve Cherundolo, sidelined by a knee injury.
Clint Dempsey put the Americans ahead in the 36th minute but the Americans, using a new-look defense that featured Omar Gonzalez and Timmy Chandler, gave up the lead when Juan Carlos Garcia tied the score in the 40th at San Pedro Sula.
Mix Diskerud scored his first international goal in the third minute of injury time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie against Russia on Wednesday in an exhibition game at Krasnodar.
The primary objective for the United States against Guatemala was a win or at worst a draw, and squeaking through to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
The primary objective for the United States against Guatemala was a win or at worst a draw, and squeaking through to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
Clint Dempsey scored twice as the United States rallied to beat Guatemala 3-1 Tuesday night and reach the last round of continental qualifying for the World Cup.
A reporter asked U.S. men's national coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Monday what it would be like if his team were to lose to Jamaica for the second time in five days.
Beating Italy was a breakthrough moment. Winning at Mexico ended nearly a century of frustration.
The United States is off to a successful, though far from perfect start in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
The carcasses of dead pelicans still litter the beaches of northern Peru, even as the last of nearly 900 dolphins are cleared away.
The carcasses of dead pelicans still litter the beaches of northern Peru, even as the last of nearly 900 dolphins are slowly being cleared away.
"We were never going to give up today," Bocanegra said. "We knew were going to get goals quickly and we got three of them."
World Cup 2014: Clint Dempsey scores twice as U.S. beats Guatemala 3-1 →
"We've continuously just gotten better and better," Bocanegra said. "It's nice. We're being able to raise our standards and we're going in the right direction. ... National team's getting better, MLS is getting better, and it's translating to the bigger picture on the global stage for us. So yeah, we're definitely confident. But we know it's going to be a very tough game down there."
World Cup 2014: U.S. soccer aims to extend firsts trend at Jamaica in qualifier →
