Jurgen Klinsmann is in a heck of a lot of trouble, and so is the US Men's National Soccer Team. The Stars and Stripes arguably must win on Tuesday night against Guatemala if they want to keep their dreams of reaching the World Cup in 2018 alive.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Yanks knew that a trip on Friday night to Guatemala City was going to be tough, but they were still favorites to walk out of town with all three points. A draw would've been considered a suitable result, but the 2-0 loss which they were saddled with puts them in a situation where they must win or risk being virtually eliminated from World Cup consideration.
The United States is now two points back of Guatemala of the last advancing spot for the fifth round of World Cup qualifying. There are just two matches to play after this, a home game against Trinidad & Tobago and a road fixture at St. Vincent and the Grenadines. If this match isn't won though, even getting the maximum six points in those other two fixtures won't guarantee a spot in the next stage of qualifying.
That's why Klinsmann's side is going to be a massive favorite on Tuesday night in spite of the fact that the USA was beaten soundly in a 2-0 loss at Guatemala on Friday.
LINEUP ANALYSIS
Klinsmann has a lot of work to do with this lineup. There really weren't any great players on the pitch on Friday night, and wholesale changes must be considered.
Tim Howard was awful in net, and we have to think that Brad Guzan is going to replace him for this match. If we're calling the shots, Alejandro Bedoya will move back to central midfield, DeAndre Yedlin will go back to right back, and Geoff Cameron will slide back to central defense. All three were in different positions on Friday night in Guatemala City.
It's also possible that Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey could find themselves on the bench for this tie. Both men were awful on Friday night, and in spite of fact that they're the captain and second choice for captain on the squad, Klinsmann will at least have to consider putting one or both on the bench on Tuesday in Columbus.
As far as Guatemala is concerned, why change anything? Carlos Ruiz was fantastic at the front of the team's 4-5-1, and though there was extra defensive help brought on in the second half when Carlos Castrillo came on for Jose Contreras, we don't see any need for this squad to change. Perhaps Marco Pappa will slot into the starting lineup in place of one of the midfielders, but that's a minor alteration to a squad which just came up with its biggest win in its history.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think it was a lack of focus, concentration and wrong decisions. We have to take responsibility for it, every one of us, coaches, players and move on and get it done on Tuesday." – United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann on the loss in Guatemala City on Friday
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
After losing so badly on Friday night, it's tough to see how the Americans get away with this match. However, Klinsmann has had a history of pulling games out of his backside when his back is against the wall, and if this game is lost, we have to think he's going to be dismissed.
Even though it looks like the sky is falling on the USMNT, it's still favored to qualify for the World Cup at this point. As long as Klinsmann doesn't get too cute with his lineup selection, we have to think that quality and class is going to shine through. This Guatemalan side isn't fantastic, and it got a tremendous boost from playing at home where it has historically played very well against middling CONCACAF teams. On the road, Guatemala should find itself on the back foot, and that's when someone will come up with the goals to put the Americans back on the right side of Group C.
USA 2, Guatemala 0
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between USA and Guatemala is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2016, at 7:25 p.m. ET at MAPFRE Stadium. The match will be televised live on ESPN2.
