Howard And US Held

Goalkeeper in World Cup qualifying draw with Guatemala.

Everton stopper Tim Howard was beaten by a late free-kick as the United States were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in Guatemala.

The Blues goalkeeper pulled out a string of fine saves to thwart the hosts during Wednesday morning’s World Cup qualifier, but was left rooted by Chicago Fire's Marco Pappa on 83 minutes.

Pappa's superb set-piece equalised Fulham forward Clint Dempsey's first-half effort and gave the nation placed 85th in FIFA's world rankings a surprise point in Group A.

Howard had helped his country to a 3-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda last week, and the Americans now sit top of the four-team table, ahead of Jamaica on goal difference.

Former Everton loanee Landon Donovan also featured for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side in Guatemala City before being subbed in injury-time.

On Tuesday, Tim Cahill played a full 90 minutes as 10-man Australia battled back to earn a 1-1 draw with Japan.

The Socceroos currently lie third in Group B of Asian qualifying for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

The next set of fixtures will take place in mid-September.