Altidore scores twice, U.S. routs St Vincent
ST. LOUIS – Jozy Altidore scored twice as the U.S. bounced back from an early deficit and routed tiny St. Vincent and the Grenadines 6-1 Friday night in the Americans’ opening qualifier for the 2018 World Cup.
Oalex Anderson, a member of the third-division Seattle Sounders 2 who turned 20 on Wednesday, took advantage of defensive confusion by Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin to put 129th-ranked St. Vincent ahead in the fifth minute.
But Bobby Wood tied the score in the 11th, Fabian Johnson put the Americans ahead in the 29th and Altidore scored two minutes later, becoming the fifth U.S. player to reach 30 international goals.
Geoff Cameron and Zardes boosted the lead to 5-1 early in the second half, and Altidore added his second goal in the 74th.
The Americans are unbeaten in 10 straight World Cup qualifying openers and extended their home unbeaten streak in qualifying to 28 games (26-0-2).