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Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi, playing in his home stadium, sent a corner kick arcing into the penalty area, and Dempsey got just enough of it at the near post to redirect to Bocanegra, who was left alone by Manuel Leon near the far post and easily found the back of the net.
It was Bocanegra's 14th goal with the national team, moving him past Marcelo Balboa for the most among American defenders. It also generated a roar from a sellout crowd of 16,947 that would have been much larger if officials could have sold standing-room tickets.
"We were never going to give up today," Bocanegra said. "We knew were going to get goals quickly and we got three of them."
The second came after Ruiz sent a header over the crossbar, and the American came on the counterattack. The ball was pushed ahead to Eddie Johnson on the wing, and he found Dempsey cutting to the net ahead of defender Jonathan Lopez, his goal giving the U.S. a 2-1 lead.
Johnson picked up an assist to go with the two goals he scored against Antigua in his first international appearance in two years.
Guatemala had a couple of other good scoring chances later in the half, including a shot by Contreras from a sharp angle that Howard knocked away, and a breakaway on which Ruiz was called for a foul on defender Steve Cherundolo near the top of the penalty area.
Cherundolo tried to shake hands with Ruiz, who was having none of it.
"We were just discussing what we were going to do after the game," Cherundolo said, smiling.
The U.S. pressure paid off again in the 36th minute, when Michael Bradley popped a pass over the sprawled-out Jerez and Dempsey tapped the ball across. Dempsey nearly had a hat trick when he just missed on a header early in the second half.
"It felt good after we got off to a slow start," Dempsey said. "It helps your confidence to get a couple of goals."
Failing to qualify for the World Cup would have been devastating for the U.S., still trying to regain the confidence it had when reaching the 2002 quarterfinals. The final round starts Feb. 6.
"I think it's always better when you have very meaningful games and you have to prove yourself," Klinsmann said. "When there's something at stake, like a World Cup qualifier, they know they have to be spot on."
NOTES: Klinsmann said he's not sure how he'll juggle his roster between qualifying and next summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, the regional championship. ... Dempsey received a yellow card for diving in second-half stoppage time. ... The Americans likely will play an exhibition at Russia on Nov. 14 in their final game this year. ... Bocanegra joined Cameron at center back, Michael Parkhurst took over on the left and Clarence Goodson was benched in the only American lineup changes from Friday. .. Defender Joe Corona made his first competitive appearance for the U.S.as a 90th-minute substitute, tying him to the American national team. He also had been eligible to play for Mexico. ... The Reggae Boyz needed to make up a three-goal difference on Guatemala in a victory to advance, and Richards' goals in the 78th and 88th minutes at Kingston allowed them to move forward.
[Associated
Press;
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