<div id="subtitle">Adu's goal, Altidore's assist lead Americans to 2-0 win over Guatemala in World Cup qualifier</div><div><p>Freddy Adu scored his first goal as a member of the U.S. national team and Jozy Altidore assisted on Kenny Cooper's sliding shot, leading the Americans to a 2-0 win over Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier on a cool Wednesday night.</p><p>The Americans improved to 27-1-7 in home qualifiers since May 1985. The win also prevents Guatemala (1-3-2) from advancing out of Group 1.</p><p>With a spot in next year's regional finals already assured, the U.S. national team (5-1) went with a largely inexperienced lineup, leaving Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra out.</p><p>The youth certainly didn't disappoint as Adu and Altidore stepped up, especially in the second half, when the Americans scored both goals.</p><p>Adu curled a shot into the left corner on a free kick just outside the penalty box in the 69th minute. A diving Ricardo Jerez didn't have a chance on Adu's well-placed shot.</p><p>The play was set up after Altidore was grabbed by Yony Flores as he flew past the Guatemalan defender. Flores was given a yellow card for the hold.</p><p>The 19-year-old Adu talked Sacha Kljestan into letting him take the kick.</p><p>"We were having a long conversation," Adu said, laughing. "Sacha goes, 'All right, I'm hitting this.' I go, 'From here? You crazy?' He goes, 'All right, if you score I won't talk.'"</p><p>Kljestan won't say a word as Adu scored his first goal with the national team.</p><p>"It's great," Adu said. "It definitely helps your confidence."</p><p>Earlier in the second half, Altidore collected a pass and lined the ball into the box, where a sliding Cooper knocked it by Jerez.</p><p>It was Cooper's second career goal for the U.S.</p><p>Altidore was taken out of the game in the 76th minute, and Adu departed seven minutes later.</p><p>Both were given a hearty round of applause from a sparse but enthusiastic crowd that endured 41-degree temperatures.</p><p>"I think those two guys are the future of this team, if they can continue improving on the defensive end," team captain Pablo Mastroeni said. "Offensively, I think they're gifted. Tonight, they showed it."</p><p>Brad Guzan wasn't tested often, facing just three shots on goal, but had a diving stop late in the game.</p><p>Mastroeni was given a yellow card in the 78th minute. It was his second in qualifying, meaning he misses the next match.</p><p>"I think the way the game was going, it was a weak yellow," Mastroeni said. "It wasn't from behind. My reputation precedes me a bit. That's the way it goes."</p><p>Adu and Altidore both had numerous chances to put the U.S. on the board in the first half.</p><p>Altidore found himself alone in the box early in the match, yet elected to pass instead of shoot.</p><p>Adu, wearing deep red-colored cleats, sent a shot into the left corner in the 18th minute, but Jerez deflected it away.</p><p>Guatemala nearly scored when U.S. defender Clarence Goodson attempted to clear a corner kick just before halftime, lofting it just over the crossbar.</p><p>The U.S. is 6-0-4 against Guatemala in World Cup qualifiers.</p><p>Los Chapines was under the guidance of new coach Benjamin Monterroso, who replaced Ramon Maradiaga shortly after the team's 2-1 loss to Cuba last month.</p><p>Monterroso, known as "Mincho," also managed the team on an interim basis in 1998 and '99. He's a former captain for the national team.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=37338860&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2008  <a href="http://www.ap.org">AP News</a></div></div>