COLUMBUS, Ohio — Moments after Geoff Cameron scored the second goal in the U.S. national team’s 4-0 victory over Guatemala on Tuesday, a familiar chant consumed Mapfre Stadium.

“Dos a Cero!”

Usually saved for scorelines against Mexico in central Ohio, the chorus heralded a goal but also sounded like the collective exhaling of U.S. supporters overcome with angst and anger since a rotten performance in Guatemala City on Friday.

All was well again. At least until the next set of World Cup qualifiers.

With a narrowing margin of error in CONCACAF’s semifinal round, the Americans besieged the visitors during an authoritative first half and got back on the path leading to the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Cameron was instrumental in the first two goals, helping set up Clint Dempsey’s 12th-minute strike and heading in Michael Bradley’s free kick in the 35th.

Graham Zusi, a late addition to the squad during this two-game period, scored 18 seconds into the second half and Jozy Altidore finished in the 89th minute as the Americans (2-1-1, seven points) overtook Guatemala (2-2-0, six) for second in the four-team group.

Trinidad and Tobago (3-0-1, 10) remained first after defeating winless St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 6-0. Two teams will advance to the six-nation final round this fall. The Americans will conclude group play at St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sept. 1 and Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 6 in Jacksonville, Florida.

With the victory, the United States improved to 14-0-1 at home against Guatemala (7-0-0 in qualifiers) and 8-0-3 in Columbus. The last home defeat in a qualifier came in 2001 against Honduras in Washington.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s lineup selections in Guatemala City had come under fire for both some of his choices and where he aligned them. On Tuesday, he retained six starters and returned two to more natural positions: Cameron (center back) and DeAndre Yedlin (right back).

He also started a pure defensive midfielder (Kyle Beckerman) instead of putting an attacker (Mix Diskerud) in that uncomfortable role.

With Fabian Johnson and Alejandro Bedoya unavailable, Zusi was thrust into the lineup. Attacker Gyasi Zardes entered. So did Brad Guzan as part of Klinsmann’s plan to platoon goalkeeping chores with Tim Howard.

The other newcomer was D.C. United center back Steve Birnbaum, who had impressed Klinsmann during the winter camp. Tuesday marked his fourth international match and second start.

The Americans set the terms through pace and possession, then went ahead.

Cameron launched a long ball from the edge of the center circle toward Zardes. Whether the Los Angeles Galaxy player would be able to control, or even touch, the ball, did not matter. By occupying two defenders, he had done his job. Contact by any player promised good things.

The ball dropped into the path of the charging Dempsey, who, without any blue-and-white clad obstacles, smashed a 15-yard one-timer into the lower right corner for his 14th career goal in qualifiers, a U.S. record. He has 49 in international competition, eight behind program leader Landon Donovan.

The Americans were famished for more. In the 35th minute, Bradley served a free kick from 30 yards into the heart of the penalty area. With a running start, the unmarked Cameron powered an eight-yard header past Paulo Motta for his fourth international goal.

The Chapines were fortunate to skirt further damage before halftime. They could not, however, get through a minute of the second half before conceding again.

Yedlin played the ball into Zardes, whose touch was off but fortuitous. Zusi did not break stride and fired into the far corner. Dempsey assisted Altidore’s rising effort in the dying moments.

U.S. notes: To prepare for Copa America, the U.S. Soccer Federation has scheduled friendlies against Ecuador on May 25 in Frisco, Tex., and Bolivia on May 28 in Kansas City, Kansas. The Copa opener is June 3 against Colombia in Santa Clara, California.