“It was a very hard fought game, and for us a hard earned three points. The win is based more on the determination of our team. Sometimes it’s necessary to win games in that way. It was a game where we relied on the effort, team spirit, and the mentality of the group. … We have played some tough games in the last year, but none of them are qualifiers. To experience it and to win in that fashion is good for the group.”
— U.S. coach Bob Bradley on the USA’s 1-0 win at Guatemala in its first game of the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying. Forty fouls were committed and each team had a played ejected.