The Americans’ aggressive play paid dividends in the eighth minute

"There were enough chances to score more goals, but you have to be clinical enough to put them in," Klinsmann said. "I mentioned it at halftime. I said, 'Guys, you've got to shoot more often.' "

The Americans' aggressive play paid dividends in the eighth minute when Hérculez Gomez headed a Landon Donovan corner kick toward the goal. James parried the ball away, but the rebound fell to the American captain Carlos Bocanegra, who trundled the rebound into the net. It was Bocanegra's 13th goal for the national team, tying him with Marcelo Balboa for the most by a defender.

Antigua and Barbuda were on their heels, but a half-hour into the game they were still only one goal behind — a dream situation for the tiny Caribbean nation.