Needing only a draw in their Tuesday night match against Guatemala to advance to the final round of World Cup qualification, the United States overcame an early Carlos Ruiz goal to win 3-1 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City.

The victory continued a strong run for the Americans on U.S. soil, as Team USA has not dropped a home game in World Cup qualification since 2001.

The early defensive difficulties that allowed the Guatemala goal brought back visions of Team USA's escape against Antigua and Barbuda on Friday night, but Jurgen Klinsmann's group quickly flipped the script, scoring three times in a 26 minute span in the first half to take control of the game.

Carlos Bocanegra scored in the 10th minute off a Graham Zusi's corner kick and Clint Dempsey's header. Dempsey followed up the nice assist by scoring two goals of his own, the first off an Eddie Johnson feed in the 18th minute and the second at the 36 minute mark courtesy of a beautiful Michael Bradley pass.