By Mike Woitalla

The USA dominated host Trinidad & Tobago for the majority of Wednesday's clash in Port of Spain and came away with a 2-1 win as the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying got underway.

Eddie Johnson, 20, continued his spectacular run since making his U.S. debut last October. He skied to meet a Steve Cherundolo cross and headed it home from 12 yards to give the USA a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.

Johnson has scored in each of his four U.S. appearances, all qualifiers, and has a total of six U.S. goals.

Johnson also delivered a pass to Landon Donovan that Donovan cleverly laid off for Eddie Lewis, who hammered a 23-yard left-footed shot into the right corner of T&T's goal in the second half.

The Trinidadians' goal came in the 89th minute when Angus Eve's crisp low pass across the goalmouth was batted into the U.S. net by diving U.S. keeper Kasey Keller, who had earlier made three tough saves.

Central defenders Eddie Pope and Cory Gibbs looked increasingly vulnerable in the later stages of the game, and left back Carlos Bocanegra allowed Eve past him on the consolation goal, which came after sub Chris Albright gave up the ball in midfield.

Defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, the USA's most active player, broke down T&T attacks, hit several good passes, and nearly scored from 30 yards out. His central midfield partner, Donovan, who should have done much better with his corner kicks, did an adequate if not spectacular job of launching U.S. forays. On his right flank, DaMarcus Beasley made more defensive than offensive contributions, while Lewis unsettled the T&T defense frequently from the left wing.

Johnson's frontline partner Brian McBride rarely gave notice of his presence.

REPORT CARD
(1=low; 10=high)

STARTERS:
5 Kasey Keller (keeper)
6 Steve Cherundolo (right back)
4 Eddie Pope (central defender)
4 Cory Gibbs (central defender)
4 Carlos Bocanegra (left back)
4 DaMarcus Beasley (right midfielder)
7 Pablo Mastroeni (defensive midfielder)
6 Landon Donovan (offensive midfielder)
7 Eddie Lewis (left midfielder)
3 Brian McBride (forward)
7 Eddie Johnson (forward)

SUBS:
5 Clint Dempsey (defensive midfielder)
4 Chris Albright (left midfielder)
nr Gregg Berhalter (central defender)