CARSON, Calif. - Ramon Sanchez and Dennis Alas scored goals to help their side overcome an early deficit as El Salvador beat Trinidad & Tobago 2-1 in a Group B match Thursday at Home Depot Center.
Alas was named Miller Lite Player of the Match with his late heroics. Alas' match-winner came in the 81st minute and helped El Salvador move even with the United States atop the group. The U.S. beat Guatemala 1-0 in the first match of the doubleheader.
Trinidad & Tobago did well to open the scoring but could not find much offense afterward as El Salvador eventually wore down the Caribbean side.
The teams traded goals in an otherwise drama-free first half. Silvio Spawn opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a spectacular free kick. From a few yards outside the center circle, Spawn had the presence of mind to strike the set piece on goal. The ball floated toward goal and eventually dipped just out of the reach of Salvadoran goalkeeper Juan Gomez and into the back of the net.
Afterward, though, Trinidad did not capitalize on the momentum of their stunning goal. The play was mired in the middle of the field as neither side threatened the other goal.
El Salvador, though, eventually struck for the equalizer. Eliseo Quintanilla swung the ball from the flank inside the penalty area. Cesar Larios attempted a bicycle kick but sent the ball to teammate Sanchez, who struck the ball from the inside of his knee into the back of the net. The goal sent the hearty Salvadoran supporters into a frenzy. The doubleheader drew 21,334 and the figure seemed evenly split among Salvadoran and Guatemalan supporters.
The second half was more open than the first, with both sides exchanging opportunities. Trinidad tried to use its speed to disrupt the Salvadoran defense but 'keeper Gomez stood firm. Meanwhile, the Salvadorans pressured the Trinidadian goal on several occasions and eventually their effort paid off.
In the 81st minute, Alas finally broke the deadlock. Jose Martinez found the ball to the right of the six-yard box. Martinez slammed a shot on goal but a Trinidadian defender slid and stopped the shot. The ball rolled out to the front of the goal and Alas raced onto the ball and slammed it into the back of the net.
As the noisy Salvadoran supporters broke into deafening cheers, Alas raced back to the middle of the field after stripping his jersey off, a move that cost him a yellow card.
Trinidad tried to mount a late rally but El Salvador did well to thwart the Trinidadian attack.
El Salvador will play Central American rival Guatemala on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET while Trinidad & Tobago will play the United States at 5 p.m. ET.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
