Guatemala’s roster to face the U.S. Men’s National Team has been revealed, and it mainly consists of domestic talent with a few foreign-based players sprinkled in.
Veterans Carlos Ruiz and Marco Pappa headline head coach Walter Claveri’s 24-man roster to face the Americans in World Cup Qualification matches on March 25 and 29. Moises Hernandez of FC Dallas and Rodrigo Saravia of the Columbus Crew were also called up.
Guatemala sits just behind the U.S. and Trinidad & Tobago in third place in their CONCACAF qualifying group after losing to T&T and winning against St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The Americans have beaten St. Vincent & the Grenadines as well, and tied T&T on the road.
Here’s Guatemala’s full squad:
Goalkeepers: Paulo Motta (Municipal), Ricardo Jerez (Alianza Petrolera, Colombia), Jose García (Coban)
Defenders: Moises Hernandez (FC Dallas, United States), Cristian Jimenez (Municipal), Hamilton Lopez (Xelaju), Luis Cardona (Municipal), Carlos Castrillo (Comunicaciones), Rafael Morales (Comunicaciones), Stefano Cincotta (Chemnitzer FC, Germany), Jonathan Lopez (Marquense).
Midfielders: Rodrigo Saravia (Columbus Crew, United States), Marco Pappa (Colorado Rapids, United States), Marco Rivas (Municipal), Gerardo Arias (Municipal), Jean Marquez (Comunicaciones), Jose Contreras (Comunicaciones).
Forwards: Carlos Ruiz (Municipal), Mafre Icute (Coban), Luis Martínez (Xelaju), Edi Guerra (Guastatoya), Gerson Tinoco (Coban), Kevin Arriola (Xelaju), Gilder Lemus (CD Achi’k).
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What do you think of Guatemala’s roster? Which, if any, of these players scares you? How do you think the USMNT will do in March?
Share your thoughts below.
While it’s never easy to play in Central America we should expect all 6 pts. from these 2 games. With 2 wins we can really integrate some of the young players come September. Giving players like Pulsic, Kiesewetter, Miazga, Acosta and others time against St. Vincent.
Idk, I feel like with JK being on the proverbial hot seat he won’t want to screw around too much with bringing in too many youth players to compete in WCQ’s now or going forward. I think we all would love for him to do it but wanting and realizing are two different things. Lastly, considering the results at this past summers GC, I don’t think we can say anything is a guarantee so we’ll probably see more of the same rosters until maybe the Copa warm up friendlies
If the US can get 6 pts from these two games they will be qualified for the hex (assuming St.VG doesn’t sweep TnT). This would give us the freedom to experiment this fall and leave those in playoff races alone. 4 pts is a virtual lock since a win over St VG is a nearly assured even on the road. 3 pts a piece makes it interesting, but still in good shape, 1 pt or less and we should all move to Canada.
That being said looking at the roster we should be able to get 6 pts.
Ruiz is old…..probably going to flop around a even more that in the past to try to earn a PK, set piece or red card.
As a thought, I’m surprised there aren’t any Guatemalan-Americans playing for Los Chapines.
I did forget about Hernandez. Silly me.