Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey scored his 41st international goal on Friday, helping the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 4-0 win over Guatemala in its final friendly before the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Playing against Seattle teammate Marco Pappa, Dempsey started the match at striker and provided the third goal on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute. Michael Bradley was fouled in the box, and Dempsey took advantage of the opportunity after Jozy Altidore had missed a penalty earlier in the game.
The USMNT is now unbeaten in its last 21 matches against Guatemala (15-0-6), a streak that dates back to 1988 and is the team’s longest streak against any nation. Counting Friday’s game in Nashville, Tenn., the USA’s record on home soil versus Guatemala is 15-0-1.
DeAndre Yedlin, the first Homegrown Player in Sounders FC history, set up the USA’s first two goals on Friday. He is one of three players who have appeared in all eight USMNT matches in 2015.
Pappa came on at halftime for Guatemala, earning his 40th cap ahead of the all-important Gold Cup that starts next week. Guatemala commences its tournament against Trinidad and Tobago on July 9 before facing fellow group opponents Mexico and Cuba the following week.
Dempsey, Brad Evans and the USA play their first Gold Cup match on Tuesday against Honduras in Frisco, Texas. The team’s other two group foes are Panama and Haiti.
The USMNT has won four straight games heading into the tournament, including victories over the Netherlands and World Cup champion Germany.
