USA vs. Antigua and Barbuda: Eddie Johnson puts Americans in front

The United States hasn't looked very good in the early going, but this was never going to be a pretty match. The field is bumpy and wet. It is also narrow and Antigua and Barbuda want nothing more than to defend. Pretty was never in the card, but winning was and Eddie Johnson put them on the way to that with an opening goal.

Johnson, who was called in for his aerial presence, made Jurgen Klinsmann look brilliant by connecting with a good, powerful header to find the net. The cross came after a corner kick was cleared, but not far so the U.S. put the ever-dangerous second ball in. It found Johnson and the Americans had the lead.

Now that they are in front, Antigua and Barbuda will have to come out of their shell some, but they will still keep number behind the ball. That means more ugly play, but that is just fine for the U.S. now.