The U.S. Men’s National Team looked like it would escape Guatemala with three points until a controversial decision in the second half by the referee changed the momentum of the game and saw the familiar traps of Central American fixtures emerge once again.

The U.S. settled for a 1-1 draw on Tuesday in its second World Cup Qualifying game of the semifinal round for CONCACAF.

Clint Dempsey

With the U.S. already leading 1-0 in the 78^th minute, Clint Dempsey slipped forward Jozy Altidore in behind the Guatemala defense for a 1v1 chance against the keeper.

However, referee Joel Aguilar controversially decided to call the play back and not play the advantage. Jermaine Jones wasted the ensuing set piece opportunity with a poorly struck shot.  

Minutes later, Guatemala drew a free kick of their own off a Fabian Johnson foul on Carlos Ruiz. Marco Pappa stepped up and drilled the shot into the net for the equalizer and took the wind out of the U.S. sails.

Thanks to a couple of blocks from defenders and a few saves from goalkeeper Tim Howard, the U.S. held on for the point on the road. The U.S. returns to World Cup Qualifying in September with a game against Jamaica.

Player Ratings:

GK: Tim Howard, 6. Howard provided a crucial save in the 70^th minute, but his distribution did leave something to be desired especially on the play that led to Pappa’s free kick.

D: Fabian Johnson, 7. For a young player, Johnson did well in a hostile environment especially on the assist to Dempsey for the U.S.’s lone goal.   

D: Clarence Goodson, 6. The center back was taken off at half as a precautionary measure after receiving a yellow card in the opening 45 minutes. He had little to do with his time on the field.

D: Carlos Bocanegra, 6. The captain didn’t have anything to do with conceding the goal, and had little else in the flow of the game.

D: Steve Cherundolo, 5. The Hannover captain struggled to hold possession and carelessly let the ball dribble over the touchline on a number of occasions.

M: Maurice Edu, 5. He did well winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch, but he also heavily relied on playing the ball back to the defense or keeper. His unnecessary long pass back to Howard led to Guatemala gaining possession and eventually earning the free kick.

M: Michael Bradley, 6. His run through the middle of the field late was classic Bradley. It was unfortunate that Altidore appeared to be on a different page.

M: Jermaine Jones, 6. The temperamental midfielder survived his first trek into road games in CONCACAF without picking up a yellow card.  

F: Landon Donovan, 5.  There were moments when Donovan looked like he was about to take over the game and lead the U.S. to three points, but it never materialized. He seemed content with the pass or cross all too often when the cold-hearted finisher was needed.

F: Clint Dempsey, 7. He was the class of the field in the first half. His deft touch on his goal had two defenders changing their shorts at half time. But Dempsey was quiet in the latter stanza after countless kicks to his ankles seemed to slow the Fulham star.

F: Herculez Gomez, 6. Gomez was hacked, clawed, and tackled by the Guatemalan defense, but he held his composure and put in a good shift as the lone striker.

Substitutes:

D: Geoff Cameron, 6. It is not easy to join the game as a center back in a loud atmostphere, but Cameron handled it well especially against the pesky Guatemalan forwards.

F: Jozy Altidore, 4. The lost opportunitiy may have mentality taken him out of the game, but it was a poor outing from the striker who wants to get his starting spot back.

M: Kyle Beckerman, No Rating. Brought on very late. 

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