Heading into Tuesday night's game against Guatemala, the United States were hoping to get an early goal. That would help stifle any fears and doubts from keeping into their minds. Luckily for USMNT fans, Clint Dempsey was on hand to score one of his legendary garbage goals.
Twelve minutes into the match, Steve Birnbaum launched a long ball past the midfield up to Gyasi Zardes. The LA Galaxy forward was sandwiched between two Guatemalan defenders who had no idea what was going on. The ball fell right into the path of an on-rushing Dempsey, and he easily beat Paulo Motta in the Guatemala goal to give the USA a 1-0 lead.
The goal was Dempsey's 49th in a USA shirt and pulls him within eight of Landon Donovan for the all-time lead. Dempsey could get a few more here tonight, because let's face it. Guatemala is a bad team. Expect many more goals in this one.