U.S., El Salvador Play in Qualifier

The United States men’s soccer team, which is riding a seven-match unbeaten streak, will meet El Salvador today at Foxboro, Mass., in the second match of semifinal round CONCACAF qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

The U.S. holds an all-time record advantage of 10-1-4 against El Salvador, including 2-0-2 in World Cup qualifying play.

U.S. Coach Bruce Arena is going for his 50th win since taking over in 1998 and the U.S has never lost a qualifier in Foxboro, going 4-0-1 with victories over El Salvador, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica and tying Mexico.

The U.S. is coming off a 1-1 draw with Jamaica in Kingston on Aug. 18 in which Brian Ching scored in the 89th minute off an assist from the Galaxy’s Cobi Jones. El Salvador beat Panama, 2-1, the same day in San Salvador with goals from Victor Velasquez and Jorge Rodriguez.

-- Paul Gutierrez