(MCT) — KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Behind two goals from Clint Dempsey, the U.S. men’s national team overcame allowing an early goal against Guatemala on Tuesday night at Livestrong Sporting Park to advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Conventional wisdom had the United States and Guatemala taking a conservative approach to the match, but that early tally by the visitors ignited a first-half track meet that ended with the U.S. on top 3-1 — a result that would stand as coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad finished atop Group A.