Jose Torres was given an unusual start at left back as the United States opened World Cup qualifying Friday night against Antigua and Barbuda.
Normally a possession-oriented midfielder, Torres was shifted to the back line because of injuries to Fabian Johnson and Edgar Castillo.
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann elected to keep captain Carlo Bocanegra at center back, paired with Clarence Goodson. Steve Cherundolo was at right back.
In a 4-3-3 formation, Maurice Edu, Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley started in midfield, with Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Herculez Gomez at forward. Tim Howard was in goal.
Klinsmann's bench had defenders Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Parkhurst and Geoff Cameron, midfielder Kyle Beckerman, forwards Jozy Altidore and Terrence Boyd and goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Klinsmann has said Altidore was set back because AZ Alkmaar refused to let him report until May 28, 22 days after the club's season finale.
Antigua and Barbuda is 105th in the FIFA rankings, 77 spots below the Americans. A first-time participant in the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying, Antigua started goalkeeper Molvin James, defenders Marvin McCoy, George Dublin, Marc Joseph and Quinton Griffith, midfielders Lawson Robinson, Mikele Leigertwood, Keiran Murtagh, Randolph Burton, and forwards Tamorley Thomas and Dexter Blackstock.
The referee was Hugo Cruz of Costa Rica,
