U.S. starts bit shaky in World Cup qualifying

TAMPA, Fla. – Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Herculez Gomez scored as the United States soccer team opened World Cup qualifying with a somewhat shaky 3-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda on Friday night.

Bocanegra put the Americans ahead in the eighth minute, tapping the ball into the net after goalkeeper Molvin James made a diving stop on Gomez’s header off Landon Donovan’s corner kick. With his 13th international goal, Bocanegra tied Marcelo Balboa’s record for American defenders.

Dempsey’s 26th goal came on a penalty kick in the 44th minute after Marvin McCoy upended Donovan streaking into the area.

Peter Byers scored in the 65th minute for 105th-ranked Antigua, a nation of about 88,000 that almost could fit its entire population in 65,000-seat Raymond James Stadium. Gomez restored a two-goal lead in the 72th after his initial shot and Michael Bradley’s follow-up both were blocked.

It was a costly night for the No. 28 Americans, trying to qualify for their seventh straight World Cup. Third-choice left back Jose Torres was stretchered off after injuring his left ankle in the 54th.

The U.S. failed to dominate possession and seemed to have heavy legs in the late going.

After going 6-5-2 in exhibitions since Jurgen Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley as coach last July, the Americans played their first competitive match since blowing a two-goal lead and losing to Mexico 4-2 in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup last June 25.

The Americans play their second qualifier of the semifinal round on Tuesday at Guatemala. Two teams from the group, which also includes Jamaica, advance to next year’s six-nation regional finals, which will produce three qualifiers for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.