Posted at 5:45 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2007
U.S. soccer team beat Guatemala; Ching doesn't play
By Andrew Dalton
Associated Press
In the first competitive game for the Americans since their first-round World Cup exit last June, Dempsey scored off Taylor Twellman's assist in the 26th minute. That kept the United States undefeated in 20 group-play games of the Gold Cup. Twellman sent a cross from the left side to Dempsey just as he surged into the box for an easy goal.
Brian Ching, a Kamehameha Schools alum from Haleiwa, was a substitute and did not play.
It was the eighth national team goal for Dempsey, who plays for Fulham in England, and the second in a week. He also scored in a Saturday exhibition against China.
Dempsey also had a near-miss in the eighth minute on a shot that flew right of the goal. He was replaced in the 61st minute.
Bob Bradley won his first competitive game as coach of the national team, but his players were outplayed in the second half against what should have been an overmatched opponent. He was 4-0-1 in exhibitions coming into the game; the one tie was with Guatemala.
