U.S. wins Gold Cup opener

Soccer Betting Lines

06/08/2007 - Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Clint Dempsey scored and the United States Men's National Team (MNT), which played down a man for the last 20 minutes, held on for a 1-0 win over Guatemala in its CONCACAF Gold Cup opener Thursday night.

Dempsey scored in the 27th minute and the U.S. was in control until defender Oguchi Onyewu received his second yellow card in the 73rd minute. The United States had to make a number of adjustments on defense but it pulled out the physical game at the Home Depot Center to take the early lead in Group B.

Guatemala set the tone for the physical play early when MNT forward Taylor Twellman, who has seven goals in Major League Soccer this season, was knocked to the ground during a stop in play just a few minutes into the game.

The United States, which started three players with five or fewer appearances for the national team, was still able to create chances early. After a number of opportunities failed to end in goals, Dempsey gave the U.S. a crucial 1-0 lead.

Dempsey was fed perfectly from the left side from Twellman's cross and he easily hit the back of the net for his eighth career goal for the MNT.

The play started in midfield where defender Jonathan Bornstein - playing in just his third game for the U.S. - passed to DeMarcus Beasley on the left flank. Beasley one-timed a pass with his head to Twellman's feet a few steps outside the box. Twellman dribbled into the box with a defender on his side and as he neared the end line and passed perfectly back across the box to a wide open Dempsey. With Guatemala goalie Ricardo Trigueno defending the near post, Dempsey just had to knock the ball into an open net.

The early goal forced Guatemala to loosen up its defensive style and the U.S. created a lot of chances in the final 20 minutes of the first half.

Landon Donovan set up one of the best chances in the 39th minute when he got open down the right side and sent a perfect cross to the middle of the box. Twellman met the cross with a solid header but it went just over the crossbar.

Guatemala's best chance of the first half was in the 40th minute when Carlos Ruiz, who plays for FC Dallas in MLS, crossed a ball right in front of the goal. With a teammate waiting at the back post, U.S. defender Frankie Hejduk cleared the ball away.

The United States immediately countered and one of its young stars, Benny Feilhaber, had a great shot from just outside the 18-yard box that Trigueno had to make a diving save on.

The MNT had a couple more chances in first-half stoppage time, including Donovan's blast just before the whistle that was saved by Trigueno.

Overall, the United States had seven shots on goal and the starting defense of Onyewu, Hejduk, Bornstein and Carlos Bocanegra didn't allow a single shot on goal by Guatemala.

U.S. goalie Tim Howard didn't have to make his first save until five minutes into the second half. Ruiz took a long shot that was dipping toward the goal and Howard pushed the ball over the goal just to make sure it wouldn't sneak under the crossbar.

Ruiz tested Howard again in the 60th minute off a free kick, but the U.S. goalie dove to his right to make a save. Howard finished with three saves.

With the United States' 1-0 lead holding up midway through the second half, the physical play became even more intense. This time it was Donovan who was on the ground face-first after a scuffle with Ruiz. Guatemala didn't immediately play the ball out of bounds - an unwritten rule in international soccer when a player is injured - and Donovan and Ruiz exchanged words after he got up.

Although Guatemala was the more physical side, the United States was punished the most by referee Jose Pineda. Onyewu was given his second yellow card, which resulted in a soft red card and an ejection, in the 73rd minute.

With Onyewu out, Hejduk switched to center back alongside Bocanegra and second-half sub Steve Ralston moved to right fullback. U.S. coach Bob Bradley eventually made another substitute to bring on defender Jay DeMerit - who was making just his third appearance for the U.S. - to solidify the defense in the final minutes. The new back line held up well, helping preserve the victory.

Despite being the more physical side the entire match, Guatemala was given just two yellow cards - both in the second half - compared to four for the United States.

The MNT, which tied Guatemala in a friendly in late March, improved to 19-0-1 all-time in Gold Cup group play. The U.S. continues defense of its Gold Cup crown on Saturday against Trinidad & Tobago at 5 p.m. (ET).