U.S. Soccer Team Improves to 3-0 in Olympic Qualifying

SAN SALVADOR — Using a combination of speed and tight defense, the U.S. soccer team downed El Salvador, 4-2, in its third classification match for the 1988 Summer Olympics.

The Americans improved to 3-0 in the three-team Group A, which also includes Trinidad & Tobago. The winner of the group will earn one of 15 spots in the Seoul Olympics.

Brent Goulet scored four minutes into the game to put the United States ahead, 1-0, and five minutes later Frank Cleopas increased the lead to 2-0.

The United States went ahead, 3-0, in the 19th minute when Hugo Perez scored on a free kick. El Salvador countered with a goal by Jaime Rodriguez to pull within 3-1.

Twenty minutes into the second half, the United States scored its fourth goal when Hugo Perez put in a cross from Eric Eichman. Joaquin Canales closed out the scoring seven minutes later.