The U.S. is 10-4-5 lifetime against Guatemala and is currently riding a six-match shutout streak against the Chapines. The teams have met eight times overall in World Cup qualifying play, with the U.S. holding an unbeaten 4-0-4 mark in the series. Guatemala's most recent game with Bob Bradley's team came just over a year ago in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the opening match of a tricky Group B, Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal on an assist from Taylor Twellman and the U.S. held on for a 1-0 victory at The Home Depot Center. Despite an Oguchi Onyewu red card, a solid backline of Frankie Hejduk, Carlos Bocanegra and Jonathan Bornstein maintained a clean sheet over the course of 90 minutes.

Since that game, Guatemala has changed coaches - Hernan Dario Gomez is out and the Honduran Ramon Maradiaga has subsequently been given the reigns to the country's World Cup qualification efforts. A comprehensive 3-0 victory against Bolivia earlier in the month showcased some of the positive strides Maradiaga has been making, and the visit of the U.S. team to Guatemala City will be a big benchmark by which to judge his progress.

Following the Guatemala match, it’s a quick turnaround before the first double-date of the semifinal round. The U.S. will first make an historic visit to Cuba on Sept. 6, making their first appearance on the island since 1947. Four days later, the U.S. welcomes Trinidad & Tobago to Chicago for the team’s debut in Bridgeview, Ill.

U.S. Schedule – Semifinal Round, 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying

Aug. 20 @ Guatemala  Guatemala City, Guatemala 
Sept. 6 @ Cuba  Havana, Cuba 
Sept. 10 vs. Trinidad & Tobago  Bridgeview, Ill.
Oct. 11 vs. Cuba  Washington, D.C.
Oct. 15 @ Trinidad & Tobago  Port-of-Spain, Trinidad 
Nov. 19 vs. Guatemala  Commerce City, Colo.

Fans can also follow the match live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker. The team traveled from Miami to Guatemala City on Monday afternoon where they were met by team captain Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu. The U.S. will train in the stadium Tuesday evening, just over 24 hours from kickoff.

Press Release courtesy of www.ussoccer.com