USA vs. Guatemala: Date, Time, TV Info, Live Stream for 2018 World Cup Qualifier

The United States men’s national team will be seeking to continue their march towards the 2018 FIFA World Cup as they go up against Guatemala in their CONCACAF qualifying match on Friday.

So far in the fourth round, coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s side have accumulated four points with two games gone, having hammered Saint Vincent and the Grenadines before a stalemate with Trinidad and Tobago. Guatemala are not out of the hunt themselves either, having picked up three points at this juncture.

Here is a look at the key details for this one, as well as information on where to watch the contest and a more detailed rundown of how this vital match will likely pan out. 

Date: Friday, March 25

Time: 10 p.m. ET

TV Info:  beIN Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)

USMNT Chasing Vital Win on the Road

Shaun Clark/Getty Images

Although it seems likely the United States will make it through to the qualification phase proper, Klinsmann will want to make his side’s position as cushy as possible early.

This double-header with Guatemala—the two will meet again in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday—is a brilliant chance to do exactly that, with victories in both matches almost certainly enough to secure the team’s passage into the hexagonal qualifying stage.

The team will be debuting their new jerseys, too. As the U.S. Olympic Team Twitter feed noted, they’re easy on the eyes:

Klinsmann has a smart squad to call upon as well. Fabian Johnson’s inclusion is a big boost given his recent injury woes. Additionally, an experienced core of players like Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey will be key in what is set to be a testing clash at a venue where the USMNT have won on just one occasion in their last six visits.

The manager also has goalscorers in his ranks. Union Berlin’s Bobby Wood has impressed in the national team colours as of late, while Chris Wondolowski has started the Major League Soccer season in brilliant form, with three goals in three appearances for the San Jose Earthquakes.

As the USMNT’s official Twitter feed noted, he’s been looking sharp in training ahead of this one, too:

Despite the clear gulf in class between the two teams, Klinsmann has insisted he’ll be taking little for granted when he and his players head to Central America.

“We know it's going to be very difficult, especially in Guatemala City, but it's also going to be difficult in Columbus, but there we have a great crowd behind us,” he said in a statement, per Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC. “It will be vital how we come out right away from the first second in Guatemala City and hopefully being able to get three points. That would make things a lot easier for the second game.”

Ashley Allen/Getty Images

The man to watch for Guatemala will be Marco Pappa, with fans of MLS well aware of his talents. The Colorado Rapids man netted a stunning late winner against the LA Galaxy recently, as shown on the league's Twitter feed:

As aforementioned, Los Chapines have quite a decent record against the United States on home soil. However, when it comes to getting a win over their illustrious opponents, Guatemala have toiled, with their last victory against Friday’s opponent coming 21 games ago.

That’s a run that seems unlikely to come to an end here. The home side will likely have enough to frustrate their opponents at the Estadio Mateo Flores, but eventually the superior fitness and quality of the United States will tell. An away win here will set up Klinsmann’s side for an expected progression into the hexagonal stage.

Prediction: Guatemala 0-2 United States