One step closer

McBride, Johnson lead U.S. past El Salvador 2-0

Brian McBride was given space for several touches in the penalty box before scoring in the 29th minute. AP

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) -- Brian McBride and Eddie Johnson scored a goal each Saturday as the United States beat El Salvador 2-0 to put the Americans in commanding position to advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. (U.S. Schedule | Standings)

McBride, who plays for Fulham in the English Premier League, scored in the 29th minute. Johnson, making his international debut, added a goal in the 75th to lead the United States over El Salvador 2-0 Saturday night.

"You don't win too many games on the road in World Cup qualifying," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "We finished this round without losing a game on the road, so I think that's a big plus for our team."

The United States (2-0-2) leads Group A of the North and Central American, and Caribbean semifinals with eight points, three ahead of Jamaica and Panama (both 1-1-2), who played a 1-1 tie Saturday night in Panama City.

The Americans, who extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, can clinch a berth in next year's six-nation regional finals with a victory Wednesday over Panama in Washington, D.C. After that, the United States closes the round Nov. 17 against Jamaica at Columbus, Ohio.

McBride took a pass from Kerry Zavagnin on the left side in the 29th minute, cut past defender Victor Velasquez and beat goalkeeper Misael Alfaro to the far post for his 26th goal in 81 international appearances.

"When I received the ball, I just tried to shield it and turn," McBride said. "I faked the shot, and the second time I was going to hit it, but I faked again and they fell off again, and the ball set up for the third time and I struck it pretty well."

Johnson replaced McBride in the 71st minute and scored four minutes into his first appearance with the national team. DaMarcus Beasley slotted the ball to Landon Donovan, who got by defender Marvin Gonzalez and sent the ball across to Johnson, who kicked it into the open net with his left foot from 2 meters (yards) out.

"I was lucky. I was in the right place at the right time," said Johnson, who has scored 11 goals for Dallas in Major League Soccer this season. "I moved into the box, and Landon made a very unselfish play to pass the ball."

U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller was rarely tested, having to make only two saves. With Claudio Reyna sidelined by a quadriceps injury, Donovan was the U.S. captain for the first time.

"The second-highest honor is playing for your country, and the highest honor is wearing the armband for your country," Donovan said. "It shows that the players have confidence in me, and that feels good."

The United States started an offense-minded lineup that included McBride, Donovan, Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff.

McBride put the ball in the net in the sixth minute, but Wolff was called for offsides, negating the goal. Mathis had a great chance to score in the 15th minute off a pass from Beasley but missed the ball.

"I think the first half we were a little sloppy in different parts of the field, but I think in the second half we were much more solid," Arena said. "Obviously, we could have scored more goals."

Notes: Cobi Jones entered in the 88th minute for his 164th international appearance and tied Earnie Stewart's record of 29 World Cup qualifiers for the United States. ... El Salvador (1-3), playing its first game since Armando Contreras Palma replaced Juan Ramon Paredes as coach, is last in the group with three points.

Summary

El Salvador 0, United States 2 - result. World Cup CONCACAF qualifying zone, Group A qualifier.

Scorers:

United States - Brian McBride 29, Eddie Johnson 75

Halftime: 0-1; Attendance: 20,000

El Salvador - 1-Misael Alfaro, 5-Victor Velasquez, 2-Rafael Tobar, 3-Marvin Gonzalez, 4-Marvin Benitez, 17-Jorge Rodriguez (16-Isaac Nelaya, 79), 13-Deris Umanzor, 7-Victor Merino, 8-Santos Cabrera (21-Josue Galdamez, 80), 9-Fredy Gonzalez (23-Jose Martinez, 70), 11-Ronald Cerritos

United States - 18-Kasey Keller, 12-Cory Gibbs, 3-Greg Berhalter, 23-Eddie Pope, 2-Frankie Hejduk, 17-DaMarcus Beasley, 5-Kerry Zavagnin, 11-Clint Mathis (7-Eddie Lewis, 68), 21-Landon Donovan, 16-Josh Wolff (13-Cobi Jones, 88), 20-Brian McBride (19-Eddie Johnson, 71)

Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)