Easy like Sunday, uh, afternoon

Chalk up another W for the Yanks. A very weak US squad (at least on paper) rolled over Guatemala this afternoon in Dallas to the tune of 4-0, getting goals from my boy Ben Olsen, Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson, and Chris Klein. Lately, it doesn't seem like it matters who Bruce Arena puts on the field. The engine is humming along, no matter which parts get switched out. Missing all of their European players (except longshot left back Heath Pearce), and even some of the bigger MLS stars (Landon Donovan, Taylor Twellman, and Clint Dempsey were among the players allowed to return to their MLS squads in preparation for their upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup matches), the US had a rough start, struggling to hold possession and looking very much like a bunch of guys who hadn't really played together. Luckily for them, Guatemala was struggling just as much in the 30-degree temperatures and freezing rain. But much like the Japan match, once the US had a chance to settle down and feel out their opponent, they began to exploit the weaknesses. Guatemala was very susceptible to long cross-field passes, and the US made them pay twice in the first half. First, Klein sent a long ball from the right to Olsen who was streaking up the left side. Olsen touched the ball down, then quickly fired a volley over the Guatemalan keeper, catching him completely by surprise. The US kept up the pressure, and just before halftime, Josh Wolff and Klein played a quick one-two off a restart, and Klein sent another high cross into the box. Brian Ching brought the ball down, created a small amount of space by touching it around his defender, and buried a shot to give the US a 2-0 lead at the break. But the Nats didn't stop there. Arena introduced Eddie Johnson for Wolff in the second half, and Johnson quickly made his presence felt, bulling his way through two defenders and flicking a shot past the keeper less than 2 minutes after the kickoff. And the final blow came off a corner kick. The ball deflected around Guatemala's box and fell to an onrushing Klein, who capped off his stellar day by sending home a bullet from 18 yards. After a shaky 20 minutes to start the match, the US once again dominated play, and Guatemala, already suffering in the wintry conditions, never had much of a sniff at goal, instead forced to endure wave after wave of US attacks. In the four games the Nats have played in 2006, they're 3-0-1, outscoring their opponents 12-1. Not bad at all, but the real test will come in March, when they play two friendlies in Germany against Poland and the Germans.

Good showings from several US players today will make Arena's life even more difficult. Klein was undoubtedly the player who helped himself the most with a goal and two assists, but Ben Olsen also showed well. Brian Ching helped himself by scoring, but still didn't do enough to make me think he'll make the WC roster. Kerry Zavagnin had a better game than usual, and on defense, Jimmy Conrad played an outstanding match, always appearing in the right spot to shut down the few forays Guatemala had into the US end. I also thought Heath Pearce got forward well, although I don't think he has much of a chance of making the World Cup squad. But he's helping himself for the future, that's for sure. That's also the case with Chris Rolfe, who buzzed around the offensive end creating several chances, and was unlucky to have a goal called back early in the match. He's a big long shot as well, but he should see plenty of action after the World Cup is over.

Also, the US debuted their new jerseys today, although strangely, they wore their road kits. I'm not so big on the blue jerseys (I'd prefer that they go back to red shirts for their away matches), but I do really like the retro feel of the white jerseys. Hopefully, we'll see the players wear those in March.