U.S. pulls away to top Grenada in Cup qualifier

The Americans will travel to Grenada next Sunday to complete the series.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The United States opened qualifying for the 2006 World Cup with a modest win over Grenada, not a rout.
DaMarcus Beasley scored twice and Greg Vanney added a goal in second-half injury time, giving the Americans a 3-0 victory Sunday in the first game of the home-and-home, total-goals series.
"We basically choreographed this game," U.S coach Bruce Arena said. "The team that's the fitter team is our team. Over 90 minutes it was going to be obvious. After 35 minutes you could see they were basically done."
Grenada put forth a valiant effort in the first half. Defender Kennedy Phillip cleared Carlos Bocanegra's header off the goal line in the 39th minute. Four minutes later midfielder Ricky Charles cleared shots by both Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride.
Although they used an attack-oriented lineup that repeatedly came forward, the Americans didn't break through until the 45th minute, when Beasley headed a lofting cross from Claudio Reyna over goalkeeper Kellon Baptiste from about 4 yards out.
"We were getting crosses in the box, and we weren't able to get enough guys to the back post," said Beasley, who got his first goal in a World Cup qualifier. "We're frustrated in games like this. It takes a lot to get the first goal, but once you do the others will come."
Another shutout
Kasey Keller got his 38th victory, surpassing Tony Meola for the lead among U.S. goalkeepers, blanking a tiny nation ranked 138th in the world, one with a population estimated at about 100,000. It was the U.S. team's fourth consecutive shutout.
The No. 9 Americans, a quarterfinalist at the 2002 World Cup, outshot the Spice Boyz 34-6 and piled up a 17-1 advantage on corner kicks. But Grenada packed in its defenders and frequently frustrated the United States, which goes to Grenada next Sunday for the second leg.
"We are a small nation, considered as minnows. But we can compete with any top-ranked team in the world, on any level, any time," said Baptiste, who had 11 saves.
After the game, Grenada's players turned toward their fans in the crowd of 9,137 and clapped in appreciation, and fans waved their flags in return.
Grenada coach Ali Debellotte knows overturning the 3-0 aggregate would be a long shot next Sunday, even with the support of the home crowd at the 15,000-seat Cricket National Stadium. The Americans have not lost a World Cup qualifier by three or more goals since Mexico routed them 5-1 in 1980.
"That will be a difficult task, but we are hoping that at least we could win," Debellotte said. "But if we get four, we'll accept it."
Beasley made it 2-0 in the 71st minute after streaking down the field with Landon Donovan, taking a pass and beating Baptiste on one touch from about 15 yards. It was his first two-goal international game.
Vanney scored his first international goal off a pass from Eddie Lewis, who came into the game in the 73rd minute for Chris Armas. Vanney took the ball just outside the penalty area and sent a shot that weaved through three defenders and off the fingertips of a diving Baptiste.