KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- With a heartbreaking loss to the United States on Tuesday night, Guatemala bid farewell to its chances of qualifying for a first-ever World Cup, as well as to one of its all-time great players.

After the 3-1 setback, forward Carlos Ruiz confirmed that this would be his last outing in national team colors.

"This was my last game," the Guatemala City-born striker told media following the match.  "I cried what I needed to cry in the locker room; I prayed what I needed to pray.  I thanked my teammates, and I want to thank the fans for the constant support, and my daughters for having patience with me when I'm not at home, because we have to be with the national team."

Ruiz's retirement was far from unexpected in the land of the eternal spring.  The forward had contemplated stepping aside from the national team on various occasions, including after last year's Gold Cup in the United States, when he led Guatemala to the quarterfinals and a near upset of Mexico.

He returned to the national team late last year when head coach Ever Hugo Almeida requested one more World Cup qualifying cycle in the name of the entire country.  The goleador complied, bringing additional joy to the country with six goals in seven matches, on the road to the Hexagonal, one on which the Chapines would fall agonizingly short, missing out on advancing through goal difference alone.

Any dearth of goals, however, could never be pinned on Ruiz.  In 37 World Cup qualifiers spanning parts of three decades, the 33-year-old registered an amazing 30 goals.

The "little fish," as he's known in Guatemala and, increasingly these days, around the region, says that it's now time to give youth a chance in Guatemala.

"This was something already discussed, that this would be my last cycle with the national team," he said.  "I got here thanks to God, but it's time for the youth to follow up.  They have to commit themselves to the national team."

In 104 total appearances with the Bicolor, Ruiz netted a whopping 55 times, setting a national record that could well stand for years.  After emerging from the youth teams of local giant Municipal, "El Pescadito" played for clubs on three continents, with stints in Greece, the U.S., Paraguay and Mexico.

His greatest footballing dream, though, was to attend a World Cup with the Guatemalan national team.  That hope went up in smoke once more at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, even after Ruiz scored the first goal of the match in spectacular fashion, rounding American goalkeeper Tim Howard and depositing the ball in the net one last time in his nation's colors.

"It's a shame," said Ruiz of the elimination.  "We tried.  We played some great games, but we ended up on the outside.  Those are things that happen in soccer."

In his long and distinguished career, Ruiz did participate in one World Cup -- the 2000 Futsal championship hosted by Guatemala, scoring a goal against Brazil.  The forward now hopes to take an active role in the country's federation, working on the sidelines to help Guatemala get to its first World Cup.