SANDY — To say the United States needs a victory over El Salvador in tonight's 6 p.m. World Cup qualifier at Rio Tinto Stadium may be an understatement.

"I think all the games are crucial from here on out," said U.S. defender Jonathon Spector. "We don't want to make it harder for ourselves. If we win the next two games, we are in a really good position to qualify, that's what we want to do. I think all four games are crucial at this point, but I think the next game, the one here, is the most important."

The U.S. (3-1-2, 10 points) currently sits in a tie for second place in its group with Honduras (3-1-2, 10 points) and trails Costa Rica (4-0-2, 12 points), with Mexico (3-0-3, 9 points) sitting right behind. Only the top three teams are guaranteed a spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with the fourth-place team going to a play-in game against the fourth-place finisher from a group in South America.

"It's a heck of a lot tighter than expected," said goalkeeper Tim Howard of the hexagonal. "Obviously we saw how good Mexico is, but I think they threw a wrench in the works by not getting some of the results (earlier)."

In the first matchup of the qualifying round between the two in San Salvador back in March, the Americans were forced to rally from a two-goal deficit, scoring the equalizer with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. The draw had both its positives and negatives.

"There were parts to the game that we felt should have been better. We were certainly pleased at the end, given the challenge of being down two goals on the road, to fight back," said coach Bob Bradley. "That said a lot about the mentality of the team. So that was the big positive. You know, we actually started that game pretty well. But we weren't always sharp enough in the attacking third, and a game can sometimes change a bit on one play. We were attacking because they had a lot of people back, and their first goal came on a counter-type situation where we didn't react well enough as a team."

The players and coaching staff expect much of the same game plan from El Salvador, even if the personnel are not exactly the same. Any result on the road would be great for the visitors, while a draw could mean trouble for the U.S.

"They'll probably be very defensive minded and our job is to break them down and try to score a goal early," said midfielder/forward Landon Donovan. "If we score a goal early, it should help us a lot. The longer the game stays at 0-0, the better it is for them."

El Salvador is led by Alfredo Pacheco at 71 caps. Eliseo Quintanilla has 40 caps and 12 international goals, and Rudis Corrales 63 caps and 14 goals.

"We know they are a talented group and we will need to play our game if we want the whole three points," said Clint Dempsey. "Our team has been playing together well, and if we just go out with our best effort, things will take care of itself and we will get the job done."

e-mail: mblack@desnews.com

World Cup qualifying

U.S. vs. El Salvador

Tonight, 6 p.m.

At Rio Tinto Stadium

TV: ESPN Classic, Galavision