America’ subsequent opponent is a flawed squad that may play for some extent. However they will current an issue for the Individuals if Jurgen Klinsmann doesn’t concentrate to some key components.
BY
Brent Latham
Posted
October 14, 2012
12:45 PM
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GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA–Heading into Tuesday’s monumental conflict with the USA, Guatemala’s gamers and coaches couldn’t be any clearer.
After their considerably shocking 2-1 win over Jamaica at house on Friday evening, the purpose in Kansas Metropolis is to get one level and advance. Nothing extra.
Certain, the Chapines want to win. However that’s probably not the plan. A tie will ship Guatemala by way of to the ultimate spherical of CONCACAF World Cup qualification. And a tie is strictly what they search.
“The way the things have gone, we know what result is convenient for us,” stated goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez after the win over Jamaica. “We did what we needed to do and got three points at home, and now the tie is the result that’s most convenient for us.”
Even with the latest fluctuations in type of Jurgen Klinsmann’s facet, few within the Guatemalan camp are speaking about going to the U.S. and profitable the match.
“We know what type of team it is we’re facing,” stated Jerez. “We want to win every game. But getting a point is the realistic option for us.”
On the floor, that sounds fairly constructive for the Individuals. For the reason that solely consequence that would presumably maintain them out of subsequent yr’s Hexagonal is a loss on Tuesday, a group intent on getting only one level looks as if a perfect opponent.
However is all of it a lure? That may rely on how Klinsmann decides to go about issues in Kansas Metropolis.
Guatemala isn’t a very proficient facet. Two gamers on the squad haven’t any membership group, and solely two play exterior of Guatemala—Chile-based Minor Lopez and new Heerenveen recruit Marco Pappa. The remainder name the Guatemalan Liga Mayor house, aside from central defender Ruben Morales, who performs within the nation’s second division.
But Morales has grow to be a default starter for a nationwide group that’s down 4 middle backs to harm and two extra to bans from this summer season’s match-fixing scandal. All that provides as much as a wounded and inexperienced backline.
“We have a pretty experienced side on the offensive side of the ball,” stated central defender Elias Vasquez, the captain of the U-20 facet that prevented the U.S. from reaching the 2011 World Cup at that age stage, and essentially the most skilled central defender prone to play on Tuesday. “We just hope to hold our own in the back, and for the offense to do its thing.”
Vasquez and Morales had been the one wholesome central defenders obtainable towards Jamaica, although veteran Claudio Albizuris, who is not a nationwide group common however has 34 caps to his title, could regain health in time for Tuesday’s match. Both manner, anticipate Coach Hugo Almeida to revert to his most well-liked three central defender, five-in-the-back alignment in an try and sluggish the sport down.
All of it feels like a recipe for eventual American success, a minimum of by way of getting the wanted level. However care is due. Dealing with a group right down to their sixth or seventh centerback choices gives a possibility, however provided that it’s taken.
Guatemala may lack star energy, however the Chapines of late are a group with a definite killer intuition. Give them any initiative, and the scrappy facet will discover a method to rating by way of their evergreen, now club-less hero, Carlos Ruiz, who’s netted 4 occasions within the final three qualifying matches.
“Carlos has a lucky star above him,” teammate Mario Rodriguez stated of the nation’s all-time main scorer. “The circumstances don’t matter; he’s going to find a way to score goals. The inactivity may affect him as a person, but it’s never going to change him as a goal scorer.”
Carlos Ruiz waits for a cross towards Jamaica.
Reduce unfastened by Mexican second division membership Veracruz this summer season, and unable to discover a group since, Ruiz has been coaching continuous with the Bicolor at Venture Aim in Guatemala Metropolis.
In reality, you would say with solely slight exaggeration, he lives there.
The nationwide group has skilled collectively throughout the week for months now, staying on the dorm on the campus of the Federation and turning into a decent group. The unit has one mission below Almeida: get to the nation’s first-ever World Cup.
The expertise deficit vis a vis the U.S. is actual, however it is going to solely grow to be essential if the Individuals decide to the assault. The temptation for Klinsmann will likely be to clog up the circulation with two or three holding mids, stifle motion in midfield, and play for the purpose the U.S. desperately wants.
Jamaica made the same mistake towards Guatemala and went house with a loss. The Chapin assault is haphazard and disjointed, however comes primarily up the wings with the concept of getting the ball into the field nevertheless potential, and permitting Ruiz to do what he does finest.
Even when groups know that’s what’s coming, Ruiz is a remarkably environment friendly scorer with 54 targets in 103 nationwide group apperences. If the Individuals aren’t cautious, he’ll do it once more in Kansas Metropolis, and take the U.S. World Cup possibilities with him. With Marco Pappa inactive since leaving the Chicago Hearth and clearly struggling for type, Ruiz might be the one actual fear for the U.S. protection. However similar to this Guatemalan group generally, it’s a really actual fear.
Given Guatemala’s restricted strengths and clear weaknesses, the right sport plan could make Tuesday evening a snug one for American followers. The flawed strategy might nicely flip it right into a nightmare by no means to be forgotten.
Brent Latham is a author and commentator for ESPN.com and different shops. He lives in Guatemala.
