COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Freddy Adu scored his first goal as a member of the U.S. national team, and Jozy Altidore assisted on Kenny Cooper's sliding shot, leading the Americans to a 2-0 win over Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier on a cool Wednesday night.
The Americans improved to 27-1-7 in home qualifiers since May 1985. The win prevented Guatemala (1-3-2) from advancing out of Group 1.
With a spot in next year's regional finals already assured, the U.S. national team (5-1) went with a largely inexperienced lineup, leaving Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra out.
The youth certainly didn't disappoint. Adu and Altidore stepped up, especially in the second half, when the Americans scored both goals.
Adu curled a shot into the left corner on a free kick just outside the penalty box in the 69th minute. A diving Ricardo Jerez didn't have a chance on Adu's well-placed shot.
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The play was set up after Altidore was grabbed by Yony Flores as he flew past. Flores was given a yellow card. The 19-year-old Adu talked Sacha Kljestan into letting him take the kick.
"We were having a long conversation," Adu said, laughing. "Sacha goes, 'All right, I'm hitting this.' I go, 'From here? You crazy?' He goes, 'All right, if you score, I won't talk.' "
Kljestan won't say a word as Adu scored his first goal with the national team.
"It's great," Adu said. "It definitely helps your confidence."
Earlier in the second half, Altidore collected a pass and lined the ball into the box, where a sliding Cooper knocked it in. It was Cooper's second career goal for the U.S.
Altidore was taken out of the game in the 76th minute, and Adu departed seven minutes later. Both were given a hearty round of applause from a sparse but enthusiastic crowd that endured 41-degree temperatures.
"I think those two guys are the future of this team, if they can continue improving on the defensive end," team captain Pablo Mastroeni said.
