USMNT freezes El Salvador in crucial World Cup qualifying win

The United States men's national team kept its World Cup qualification bid on course courtesy of a crucial 1-0 qualification win over El Salvador on a freezing Thursday evening in Ohio.

Antonee Robinson smashed home from close range early in the second half to fend off an upset that threatened to inflict irreparable damage on the Americans' efforts to compete in Qatar later this year.

There was a nagging concern at halftime that Gregg Berhalter's surprising decision to start Jesus Ferreira instead of Ricardo Pepi or Gyasi Zardes in his attack had backfired. Ferreira was twice guilty of squandering opportunities in the opening stanza, including lifting the ball over the bar from around three yards.

El Salvador's one clear chance fell to California-born Alex Roldan, whose well-struck shot from the edge of the 18-yard box skipped just wide of Matt Turner's post.

Nerves somewhat settled when Robinson fired into the net. Timothy Weah battled his way into the area and forced a save from Mario Gonzalez. The ball ricocheted into the air and toward the head of Ferreira, who calmly nodded it in Robinson's direction. The relief was evident as the Fulham full-back led the rapturous celebrations among the players and spectators.

It could've been 2-0 moments later, but Gonzalez stretched every sinew to keep Yunus Musah's attempt out of his mesh.

But El Salvador wasn't out of the game despite the home side's pressure, so ex-U.S. international Hugo Perez tweaked his personnel to try to restore parity. One of the visiting head coach's changes almost paid off when substitute Joaquin Rivas steered a header wide of the far post.

The Columbus crowd serenaded its heroes in the last few minutes but, when the final whistle sounded, attentions soon turned to the next chilly encounter. Berhalter's side travels north of the border to take on Canada on Sunday in one of CONCACAF's most hotly anticipated World Cup qualifiers in years.