English Premiership club Fulham's striker Brian McBride scored a goal just 91 seconds into the game moving the United States to the brink of clinching its fifth straight World Cup appearance. It was McBride's 29th international goal, leaving him five shy of Eric Wynalda for the U.S. record, and his 10th in qualifying, moving him ahead of Earnie Stewart for the American career lead.
The United States dominated throughout but failed to add to its early advantage, beating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 Wednesday night and all but assuring the Americans a place in the 32-nation field for next year's tournament in Germany.
With a win over rival Mexico in its next game on Sept. 3 at Columbus, Ohio, the United States would clinch one of the three berths from soccer's North and Central American and Caribbean region with three games to spare. The U.S. team also would clinch if all three games in the region that day are ties.
John O'Brien, the oft-injured American midfielder, made his first appearance in a qualifier since Nov. 11, 2001, at Trinidad, and started the action that led to the first goal. O'Brien took a backpass from Convey, moved upfield and played a 25-yard, left-footed pass that Convey ran onto and crossed to McBride, who knocked the ball in from about 4 yards.
"Basically it was good ball movement," McBride said. "I just had to open up my foot and it went in."
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