The United States has won Group A and will move on to the final round of World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region. Clint Dempsey managed a brace to push the US through, though the US only needed a draw to qualify. Jamaica are the other team to qualify from Group A, with a 4-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda giving them a superior goal differential.
So far, the teams to qualify for the Hexagonal are the United States, Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, and Panama. Group B still has a second spot open. Costa Rica host Guyana and can advance with a victory. El Salvador can advance if they defeat Mexico and Guyana defeat Costa Rica.
Guatemala scored first, as Carlos Ruiz dribbled circles around the US defense to put them up early. The US were able to equalize right away as Carlos Bocanegra got on the end of Clint Dempsey's header to make things all level before the ten minute mark.
Dempsey continued on his three point day putting the US ahead by sliding into an Eddie Johnson cross. Dempsey's fifth goal in qualifying came just before halftime, tapping in a Michael Bradley roller to put the US 3-1 ahead and through to the next round of qualifying.
That fourth round will start next February. For now, the US and Jurgen Klinsmann can rest easy this winter knowing that they accomplished their goal for 2012.