The USA moved one step closer to the final round of World Cup 2006 qualifying in the CONCACAF zone with a rather easy 2-0 win over El Salvador Saturday night in San Salvador.

Brian McBride scored on a tremendous individual effort in the 29th minute and sub Eddie Johnson scored in the 75th minute, four minutes after stepping on the field in a U.S. national team uniform for the first time.

The United States, which leads Group A with eight points, three ahead of Panama and Jamaica, which tied, 1-1, Saturday in Panama City, meets Panama Wednesday in Washington, D.C., and can assure itself a berth in next year's Hexagonal with one game to play in three circumstances:

(1) A victory over Panama.

(2) A 0-0 tie with Panama.

(3) Any tie with Panama and an El Salvador win over Jamaica Wednesday in Kingston.

McBrideÆs game-winning goal was the 29th of his U.S. career and seventh against El Salvador. Kerry Zavagnin fed McBride, who made four short touches to line up a shot he blasted inside the far post.

Johnson's goal came when he slotted a square ball from Landon Donovan, wearing the U.S. captain's armband for the first time, into an empty net.

On both goals, the play developed when DaMarcus Beasley brought down a fragile Salvadoran defense.

McBride scored a similar goal to Johnson's early in the first half, but McBride was ruled offside when Josh Wolff laid the ball off to him with an open net to shoot into.

GAME REPORT

Oct. 9 in San Salvador

El Salvador 0 USA 2. Goals: McBride 29, Johnson 75.

El Salvador — Alfaro, Tobar, M.Gonzalez, Velasquez, Umanzor, Merino, Rodriguez (Galdamez, 80), Cabrera (Zelaya, 80), Benitez, F.Gonzalez (Martinez, 70), Cerritos.

USA — Keller, Pope, Berhalter, Gibbs, Hejduk, Zavagnin, Beasley, Donovan, Mathis (Lewis, 68), McBride (Johnson, 71), Wolff (Jones, 88).

Yellow cards: El Salvador Merino 30, Cerritos 45, Zelaya 85; USA — Gibbs 31.

Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala).

Att.: 20,000.

STATS

Shots: El Salvador 6, USA 8.

Saves: El Salvador 4, USA 2.

Corner kicks: El Salvador 2, USA 3.

Fouls: El Salvador 18, USA 15

Offside: El Salvador 3, USA 1.