US on track with win over Guatemala

COLUMBUS, Ohio— The United States got back on track for a berth in the 2018 World Cup, ending four nervous days with a 4-0 win over Guatemala on Tuesday night behind goals from Clint Dempsey, Geoff Cameron, Graham Zusi and Jozy Altidore.

After a 2-0 loss Friday night in Guatemala City in which Jurgen Klinsmann played several players out of their most comfortable positions, the U.S. coach made five lineup changes and shifted two players into their more usual spots.

Dempsey scored 12 minutes in and Cameron doubled the lead in the 35th. Zusi, added to the roster on Sunday, added a goal just 20 seconds into the second half and Jozy Altidore capped the scoring in the 89th.

A loss would have made it virtually impossible for the U.S. to finish in the top two in the group and reach the six-nation finals of North and Central America and the Caribbean, but the victory put the U.S. in position to advance. The Americans are 27-0-2 at home in qualifying since 2001.

In Group C’s other game, Trinidad and Tobago won 6-0 at home against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Trinidad (3-0-1) leads with 10 points, three ahead of the U.S. (2-1-1). Guatemala (2-2) has six points, and St. Vincent (0-4) has been eliminated. The U.S. travels to St. Vincent on Sept. 2, then finishes the round four days later against Trinidad at Jacksonville.