COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some home support and self-evaluation could go a long way toward Team USA getting some measure of redemption after its numbing loss at Guatemala on Friday night in a World Cup-qualifying match.
The Americans’ 2-0 loss was the first to Guatemala in 21 games since 1988 and the first qualifying loss in 13 matches against them. The rematch is Tuesday in Columbus at Mapfre Stadium, which was called Crew Stadium until 12 months ago.
By any name it’s been a fortress for U.S. men’s soccer, where the national team has a 7-0-3 record and outscored its opposition 15-1. The only goal allowed was against Jamaica on Nov. 14, 2004.
Included in the shutouts are four qualifying matches against Mexico, all 2-0 scores for the famous “Dos a Cero” tag line.
“This is one of the few stadiums in the United States we have an all-pro American crowd. I remember my last time here against Mexico, the atmosphere was amazing,” midfielder Alejandro Bedoya said of that Sept. 10, 2013, match. “To be able to know we have all the fans behind us gives us a mental edge, so to speak.”
The U.S. was lacking that and cohesive play Friday when a poor back pass by Edgar Castillo led to the first goal by Rafael Morales, and the second goal in the 15th minute was from Carlos Ruiz as he got by the Americans’ leaky defense.
“There’s no doubt we were stunned, for sure, to let in two goals in that manner in the first 15 minutes,” Bedoya said. “We put ourselves against the wall.”
