WASHINGTON -- Mario Rodriguez scored one goal and set up two others to lead Guatemala to a 3-0 victory against Bolivia in an international friendly Wednesday.
Both teams are preparing for CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, with Guatemala scheduled to face the United States on Aug. 20 in Guatemala City, and Bolivia to play qualifiers against Ecuador and Brazil in September.
Guatemala's Dwight Pezzarossi had the game's first goal in the 52nd minute at RFK Stadium after Rodriguez' cross from near the right corner evaded Bolivia's defenders in the penalty box. Pezzarossi gathered the ball in front of the net and beat a diving Bolivia goalkeeper Hugo Suarez.
Guillermo Ramirez headed in a Rodriguez' corner kick five minutes later to give Guatemala a 2-0 lead.
Rodriguez got a goal of his own in the 65th minute after streaking down the right side of the field to reach Carlos Gallardo's long pass from the far side of the center line. Rodriguez then converted his one-on-one opportunity against Suarez.
Guatemala looked to have scored early in the match when an apparent goal in the sixth minute was negated by an offside call against Yony Flores.
One player was very familiar with the venue -- D.C. United's Jaime Moreno captained the Bolivian team. Moreno was replaced by Nelson Sossa in the 67th minute.
Flores picked up a yellow card in the 49th minute for pulling down Moreno during a tackle. Bolivia's Mauricio Saucedo and Limbert Mendez also received yellow cards.


