Commerce City, CO (My Sportsbook) - Freddy Adu scored his first goal for the senior national team with a splendid free-kick in the 69th minute as the United States downed Guatemala, 2-0 in CONCACAF qualifying action on Wednesday.

Kenny Cooper scored the opening goal in the 54th minute for the Americans, who had already secured a spot in the final round of qualifying prior to the game, while the result eliminates Guatemala from the competition.

USA head coach Bob Bradley put together a very inexperienced lineup that was filled with players from Major League Soccer, leaving the likes of Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley and Tim Howard out of the squad.

However, the young American side put together an inspired effort and was in control from the start.

Adu was responsible for the Americans best chance in the first half as he dribbled to the top of the box and fired a shot towards the bottom left corner that forced a diving stop from Guatemala goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez.

Guatemala was then fortunate not to concede a penalty kick in the 22nd minute when defender Yoni Flores appeared to trip John Thorrington inside the box, but the referee's whistle remained silent.

The USA had the better of the play in the first half but they didn't get onto the scoreboard until the 54th minute after a nice individual effort from Jozy Altidore.

The former Red Bull New York striker took possession on the left wing and danced past two defenders before driving a low ball into the box for Cooper, who got a step on his defender and poked the ball between the keeper's legs with a lunging effort from eight yards.

The pressure continued on Jerez in the Guatemala net as Pablo Mastroeni ripped a hard shot on target from 25 yards before Cooper found Sacha Kljestan at the far post for a close-range shot that was stopped by the keeper.

Altidore caused problems for the Guatemala defense all night and he drew a free-kick just outside the area that allowed Adu to bag his first goal with a well-struck, left-footed shot that curled inside the far post.

The visitors best chance of the match didn't come until the 85th minute when goalkeeper Brad Guzan was forced to make a good reaction save on Guillermo Ramirez from 10 yards, preserving the clean sheet.

The Americans will learn who they will meet in the final round of qualifying on Saturday, which will begin in February.