Sport

US clip Trinidad 1-0 with early goal

Brian McBride (right) of the U.S. is hugged by teammate Bobby Convey (left) after McBride scored a goal during the first half against Trinidad and Tobago during a World Cup qualifying match in East Hartford, yesterday. - reuters

EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT (AP)

THE UNITED STATES beat Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 yesterday, moving closer to their fifth straight World Cup appearance on a goal by Brian McBride a minute after the opening kickoff.

The victory gave the United States 15 points from six games whereas Trinidad remained with four points from four games remaining in the final round of qualifying.

The Americans struck early when John O'Brien played a through ball down the left to Bobby Convey, who ran on and struck a left-footed cross into the path of McBride.

The streaking Fulham striker tapped the ball into the far side of the goal from inside the six-yard box.

The victory extended the United States' home unbeaten streak against CONCACAF opponents to 31 matches, the last loss being a 3-2 defeat to Honduras in 2002 World Cup qualifying.

Trinidad hurt their cause in the 42nd minute when Dennis Lawrence grabbed U.S. forward Landon Donovan from behind on a breakaway, earning a red-card ejection from Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez. The United States also finished with 10 men after Convey drew his second yellow card in the 88th minute for a lunging tackle.

US dominated match

The Americans dominated the match, failing to convert numerous clear chances by Donovan, Convey, Oguchi Onyewu and Brian McBride thanks to the athletic efforts of Trinidad goalkeeper Kelvin Jack. A second U.S. goal by second-half substitute Taylor Twellman was disallowed in the 86th minute for being offside, although television replays appeared to show the New England Revolution striker onside.

Claudio Reyna returned to the U.S. team for the first time since the qualifier against Mexico in March after sitting out the CONCACAF Gold Cup.