U.S Ties Guatemala, 2-2, in World Cup Qualifier
The United States and Costa Rica on Saturday night combined to end Guatemala’s hopes of qualifying for the 1998 World Cup in France.
The U.S., fielding a largely experimental team without seven usual starters, tied Guatemala, 2-2, in front of 10,000 at Cuscatlan Stadium in the Salvadoran capital of San Salvador.
In San Jose, Costa Rica, the home team defeated Trinidad and Tobago, 2-1, to assure itself a place in the final qualifying round for France ’98.
Guatemala had needed a victory over the Americans and a loss by Costa Rica to advance at Costa Rica’s expense.
But Preki gave the U.S. the lead in the seventh minute, only for Guatemala to tie it directly off a corner kick by Manuel Funes two minutes later and take the lead in the 43rd minute on Juan Carlos Plata’s goal.
Former UCLA defender Frankie Hejduk tied the score five minutes into the second half.
In addition to Preki and Hejduk, U.S. Coach Steve Sampson started goalkeeper Brad Friedel, defenders Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos and Mike Burns, midfielders Martin Vasquez, Claudio Reyna and Jason Kreis, and forwards Jovan Kirovski and Brian McBride.
The United States will play Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica and El Salvador in the final round next year, with the top three teams qualifying for the World Cup.
Paulo Wanchope scored both of Costa Rica’s goals, in the 49th and 56th minutes, after Jerren Nixon had given Trinidad and Tobago an early lead in a game played in light rain and cold temperatures. Trinidad and Tobago defender Stockley Mason and Coach Sebastiao Pereira were red-carded.
