USA vs. Guatemala: America Must Get off to Fast Start Against La Bicolor

Guatemalan coach Ever Almeida, who served as goalkeeper for Team Olimpia for almost 20 years, uses a defense-first philosophy, protecting the goal and counter-attacking when the time is right.

But if you score against Guatemala early, it changes the Bicolor's strategy entirely. That's why the U.S. must look to score quickly in an effort to open the game up.

Jamaica successfully opened up the game against Guatemala on Friday in Kingston, getting off to a 2-0 advantage early in the second half. That forced Almeida to make three substitutions at halftime, sacrificing defense for more offense. For the rest of the match, Guatemala wasn't the same team, appearing listless and unfamiliar.

The U.S. scored three goals against Antigua and Barbuda to kick off World Cup qualifying in style on Friday. The Americans certainly have the means to score and score early. In that sense, they must be aggressive against Guatemala.

Portland Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace, who saw his Costa Rican national team defeated by Guatemala last week, said you must focus on “speed of play, and you have to be physical,” via MLSSoccer.com.

Three different players scored against Antigua and Barbuda on Friday: Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Herculez Gomez. That kind of team effort will be needed against the Bicolor. 

This is a critical match for the U.S. The U.S. must act with urgency early against Almeida's squad, which always seems prepared.

If the U.S. is really serious about advancing to the 2014 World Cup and beyond, it will show in the first half against Guatemala.