Guatemala Serves World Cup Notice To U.S.

The United States’ forthcoming World Cup opponents Guatemala routed Bolivia, 3-0, in an exhibition game in Washington D.C. Wednesday, serving notice that they will be no pushover in a group that also contains Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago. And the star of the evening was a former MLS player no one can remember.
 
Mario Rodriguez played 19 games (15 starts) for the Columbus Crew in 2005, scoring just one goal. But his goal and two assists against Bolivia made it “abundantly clear,” writes Steven Goff, that he is the player that the U.S. will have to watch out for when the two teams meet in Guatemala August 20 to kick off the semifinal qualifying round.
 
This was also a Guatemala team missing striker Carlos Ruiz, who was not released by his club L.A. Galaxy, although Bolivia was also at less than full strength. “I don’t know how to interpret it; all I know is that we played very well and hopefully we can keep it up because the most important game is against the United States,” said Guatemala coach Ramon Maradiaga.