Chandler's wonder strike highlights USMNT's 4-0 win over Guatemala (Video)

It wasn't quite as eye-catching as last month's upset wins over the Netherlands or Germany, but the United States men's national team claimed a 4-0 friendly victory over Guatemala on Friday, courtesy of an own goal, a wondrous Timmy Chandler strike, a Clint Dempsey penalty kick and a Chris Wondolowski tap-in.

The win in Nashville, Tenn., before almost 45,000, made it four in a row for the USA – dating back to a 2-0 result against Mexico on April 15 – with the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the North- and Central-American and Caribbean regional championship starting on Tuesday.

[FC Yahoo: Look back on United States vs. Guatemala as it happened]

For several American players, the game was their first in a month or so, since Europe's clubs are between seasons. But they nevertheless made a zippy start to the game, hogging the ball, as expected. Guatemala, however, proved a fairly combative outfit. The first half was frantic, with the play caroming about the field.

In the 17th minute, Jozy Altidore was pulled down in the box by Wilson Lalin as he ran to meet a Fabian Johnson cross and was awarded a penalty. But Altidore, taking his own spot kick, was denied by goalkeeper Paulo Motta, who went to his right and pushed the solid effort wide.

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Two minutes later, however, DeAndre Yedlin was dispatched up the right flank by Michael Bradley. His cross was then headed past his own goalkeeper and into the net by Carlos Castrillo, giving the Americans the lead on the own goal.

The U.S. wouldn't forge anymore chances until halftime, even it was the better side. But it would give away a pair of them and was actually somehow outshot 4-6. Ruben Morales got himself onto the end of a clever ball by Carlos Mejia in the 33rd minute, but goalkeeper Brad Guzan blocked it well. Lalin, meanwhile, had a free header when Chandler misread a high ball but bounced it right at Guzan as well.

Towards the end of the half, however, the Americans began finding space on quick breakaways, to add to the threat that Yedlin had provided with his speed down the right. Clint Dempsey, returned from a brief suspension for a referee notebook-ripping-up incident in the U.S. Open Cup, looked rejuvenated, running at the Guatemalan defense with relish.

Guatemala applied heavy pressure early after the break. And under pressure from Carlos Ruiz, the old MLS veteran, Guzan bobbled a ball that rebounded into the path of Jose Contreras for an open shot. He somehow rolled his finish wide, though.

The Americans regrouped, and soon, their offense found its room and rhythm again. In a quick flurry of chances, Chandler whipped in a cross that Dempsey knocked well wide. Substitute Gyasi Zardes and Dempsey then combined on the left, with the former's square ball rolling to Altidore at the other post. But Motta denied him a second time. Then, in the 58th minute, Chandler advanced, cut inside and took a shot from 20 yards, smashing it into the far low corner with an outstanding strike.

With Guatemala's resistance broken, the USA would get two more. In the 70th minute, Chandler found himself in acres of space on the right flank but slid his cross too far ahead of Dempsey. On the ensuing play, however, Bradley was hip-checked by Castrillo in the box, earning a second penalty. Dempsey converted with a deceptively slow dink – a so-called Panenka, soccer's equivalent of the changeup.

Finally, in the 86th minute, Zardes reached the back line before cutting the ball back for Wondolowski, who finished a deceptively difficult bounce with his left foot.

Perhaps the final score flattered the USA a tad, given Guatemala's chances. But then that was the Yanks' reward for being clinical with their chances – the missed penalty excepted.

This game was intended as a tune-up for the Gold Cup. And as a general rehearsal, it was promising enough. While the opponent was fairly forgettable and the understanding between Dempsey and Altidore up front still lacking, there were positive signs. The energy, pressure and pacing of the game by the Americans were all good, and the distribution generally clean and astute.

The defense, meanwhile, shored up nicely in the second half after a shaky first, in spite of three substitutions. Only a pair of late chances endangered Guzan's nets late on, as a quick Contreras free kick from out wide swerved to his near post, and the same man airmailed his finish after being served a cross on a platter by Ruiz.

On Tuesday, the U.S. begins its campaign to retain its regional title with a group stage match against Honduras in Frisco, Texas. Contests with Haiti and Panama follow on July 10 and 13, respectively, in Kansas City and Foxborough, Mass.

Leander Schaerlaeckens is a soccer columnist for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @LeanderAlphabet.