The United States got goals from San Jose Earthquakes Brian Ching and Landon Donovan to in a 2-0 win over El Salvador in the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup on Saturday in front of 25,266 fans at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

The win sets up a big match Wednesday against Panama in Panama City. Panama upset Jamaica, 2-1, Saturday in Kingston. Kickoff for Panama-USA match is set for 8 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports World and tape delayed on Telemundo at 11:30 p.m. ET & PT.

Ching, who provided the crucial equalizer in the 89th minute of the 1-1 draw on the road against Jamaica last month in Kingston on knocked in the game winner in the fifth minute on a glancing header of an excellent cross from Bobby Convey.

The only other goal for the United States, who outshot the Salvadorans, 19-1, came in the 68th minute from Donovan, who ran horizontally across the top of the box and scored with a well-placed left-footer to the far post.

El Salvador played most of the game with 10 men after midfielder Denis Alas received a second yellow card caution in the 26th minute and was ejected from the match. The ejection came during an injury stoppage for DaMarcus Beasley as the referee's noticed that Alas was wearing a necklace. Wearing jewelry during a match is grounds for an automatic caution, a rule which was addressed by the officiating crew in the match commissioner's meeting on Friday.

Alas had received a yellow card for a harsh foul on Convey in the eighth minute, was ejected from the match, prompting El Salvador head coach Juan Paredes to heatedly argue the referee's decision. Following some vehement exchanges, Paredes was ejected by referee Neal Brizan of Trinidad & Tobago.

GAME REPORT

Sept. 4 in Foxboro, Mass.

USA 2 El Salvador 0. Goals: Ching 5, Donovan 69.

USA — Howard, Cherundolo (Jones, 69), Bocanegra, Gibbs, Convey, Reyna, Zavagnin (Mathis, 82), Donovan, Beasley, Ching, Casey (McBride, 76).

El Salvador — Rivera, Guevara, Velasquez, Prado, Pacheco, Alas, Rodriguez, Murgas, E.Gonzalez (Merino, 46), Galdamez (Mejia, 46), Cerritos.

Yellow cards: USA — Convey 18, Casey 49; El Salvador — Alas 8, Alas 26, Pacheco 57.

Red card: El Salvador — Alas 26.

Referee: Neal Brizan (Trin. & Tobago).

Att.: 25,266

STATS

Shots: USA 19, El Salvador 1.

Saves: USA 0, El Salvador 4.

Corner Kicks: USA 8, El Salvador 2.

Fouls: USA 16, El Salvador 19.

Offside: USA 0, El Salvador 3.