WCQ Preview: United States vs. Guatemala

After months of matches, all that stands between the United States and a trip to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying is a meaningless game against Guatemala. Having already secured a spot in the Hexagonal, Bob Bradley brought some new faces -- Kenny Cooper, Sean Franklin -- and some familiar ones who haven't seen international duty in ages -- Cory Gibbs, John Thorrington -- to fill out the squad alongside Brian Ching, Pablo Mastroeni, Freddy Adu, and Jozy Altidore. The match in Colorado, the team's first ever qualifying game in the state, provides what might be the only opportunity for some players to show they can compete on an international stage against an opponent that desperately needs a victory.  

Experiment

With entry into the next round assured, the U.S. coaching staff should use this match to look towards 2010, something which it has begun to do in recent games. There are plenty of questions about many of the players on this squad. Who, if any, of the older MLSers with little experience on the National Team deserve another shot? Have multiple injuries slowed Gibbs or can he still be effective? (The entire American fanbase hopes it’s the latter.) Are Freddy and Jozy improving in Europe or has their lack of playing time hurt their skills? The answers are somewhere out there on the pitch.  

 Don't keep Cooper cooped up

With Jozy Altidore set to get one of the starting spots (Bradley wouldn't drag him back from Spain and not play him), Kenny Cooper and Brian Ching are likely battling for the second forward position. Give it to the Dallas FC man. Please. I came around on Ching while watching him from the second row against Cuba -- the dude is an athletic freak -- but his ceiling isn't much higher than he can jump. In the spirit of experimentation, give Cooper a run upfront to start the match. Let's see what he and the younger generation can do. They represent the future. And that future is now. 

  Play hard, play healthy, play smart

 Guatemala is desperate for a win and would like nothing more than for an American to get sent off early. Los Chapines will spend the entire 90 minutes toeing the line between playing hard and playing dangerous and at points will likely cross over, especially should they get down an early brace. (The American coach hinted at the opponents' tenacity, calling them "fighters.") It's up to the U.S. to stay focused on the task at hand: getting out of Colorado intact. While a win would be nice and playing well is always encouraged, this isn't necessary. Just keep your cool, be competitive for 90 minutes, and then walk into the Hex.  

Don't forget to celebrate

By all accounts, this game marks a milestone on what so far has been U.S.'s most successful run through qualifying. The team won two difficult games on the road in adverse conditions -- they weren't pretty, but the results were right -- and then took care of business at home. Even the loss to Trinidad and Tobago was, when viewed in a certain light, promising. When the final whistle blows on Wednesday night, take a moment to reflect on how far you've come. You all deserve it. Then refocus and kick some ass in the Hex.  

Projected U.S. Lineup

---------Altidore-------Ching----------

 Adu---Clark---Mastroeni---Kljestan

Bornstein--Parkhurst--Gibbs--Moor

------------- Guzan ----------------- 

Goal.com prediction: 2-1 United States

Noah Davis covers the U.S. Men's National Team for Goal.com. You can write him at Noah.Davis @Goal.com.