USA 1 - 0 Guadeloupe

The US went into the game tonight playing for second place in the group. After Canada’s 1-1 draw with Panama, they end up on four points and Panama on seven. That means that US needed only a draw against Guadeloupe to progress, holding both the head-to-head and goal difference tiebreakers with Canada. A win, however, should be the minimum demanded of the players after their pathetic loss to Panama.

Bob Bradley opted to pair Bocanegra with Goodson in the center of defense with Eric Lichaj coming in to play left back. The only other change from the starting lineups from the previous two games is the replacement of Agudelo with Wondolowski.

The game got off to a cracking start and Guadeloupe should have been up 1-0 inside 5 minutes when Lichaj blocked a shot onto the crossbar. But that was as close as Guadeloupe would come to the American net. The Americans responded immediately, however, and Dempsey forced the Guadeloupe goalie Grandel into his first of many excellent saves from a dipping free kick. Inside 10 minutes Altidore put away the only goal of the game, picking up the ball about 30 yards out, taking a touch, and firing a stunning drive into the top corner. Although it looked as if Grandel might have done better, it was an excellent strike. One hopes that it opens the floodgates for Altidore.

The rest of the first half contained a plethora of chances for the US. Cherundolo and Lichaj did well getting down the flanks, and Wondolowski had some good hold-up play through the middle. Bradley and Jones were spraying the ball all around the field with great aplomb. But the US really should have scored at least one or two more.

One had the feeling the second half might bring the glut of goals many Americans had been waiting for. But the only good chance fell to Dempsey, who hit another brilliant free kick off the crossbar. But that was the only bright spot for Dempsey in what may well have been the worst half he's ever played for the US. Donovan, Dempsey, Wondolowski, and others all missed real sitters.

It's been a tremendously disappointing group stage for the US. If they play like they did in any of these games against Jamaica on Sunday, they'll go out of tournament at the quarterfinal stage. And even if they improve a little bit, there's no way they're going to come close to beating Mexico who have just been fantastic in every game so far.

Man of the Match: Franck Grandel, GK. He was fantastic for Guadeloupe, racking up 9 saves, which didn't include several forays to pick up loose balls or crosses.