Clint Dempsey scored 35 seconds into his first competitive match in three months, giving the United States an early lead at Jamaica on Friday night and breaking his own record for fastest American goal in a World Cup qualifier.
Dempsey, who transferred from Fulham to Tottenham last week, missed the start of the English Premier League season while his club status was sorted out. He was among four changes from the starting 11 in last month's 1-0 exhibition win at Mexico, joined by right back Michael Parkhurst, central defender Clarence Goodson and forward Jozy Altidore.
Maurice Edu played a through pass to Herculez Gomez, whose two shots were stopped by goalkeeper Dwayne Miller. The second shot rebounded to Dempsey, who scored from about 10 yards for his 28th international goal. He has scored in all three U.S. qualifiers this year.
Dempsey's previous match was a World Cup qualifier at Guatemala on June 12. Dempsey had held the record for fastest U.S. goal in a qualifier when he scored 53 seconds in against Barbados in 2008.
The rest of the U.S. lineup in Kingston had Tim Howard in goal, Geoff Cameron in central defense, Fabian Johnson at left back, Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman and Edu joining Dempsey in midfield and Gomez paired with Altidore up front.
Regular right back Steve Cherundolo was scratched because of a strained right calf. Midfielders Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley already were missing because of injuries.
Defender Carlos Bocanegra, who transferred last week from fourth-tier Glasgow Rangers to second-tier Racing Santander, was on the bench while Howard served as captain.
Joining Bocanegra on the bench were goalkeeper Brad Guzan; defenders Jonathan Spector and Michael Orozco Fiscal; midfielders Brek Shea, Jose Torres Danny Williams and Graham Zusi; and forward Terrence Boyd. No. 3 goalkeeper
Jamaica's starting lineup had Dwayne Miller in goal; Adrian Mariappa, Nyron Nosworthy and Jermaine Taylor and Lovel Palmer on defense; Jason Morrison, Rodolph Austin, Kavin Bryan and Je-Vaughn Watson in midfield; and Luton Shelton and Ryan Johnson up front.
Marco Rodriguez of Mexico was the referee.
The U.S. and Jamaica each entered 1-0-1 in the semifinal round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, with the U.S. ahead on goal difference. The Reggae Boyz play the U.S. at Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.
Guatemala hosted Antigua and Barbuda in the other Group A match, with both teams at 0-1-1. The top two teams advance to next year's regional finals.
