Sandy, UT (My Sportsbook) - Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore scored just a few minutes apart late in the first half as the U.S. erased a one-goal deficit and held on for a 2-1 win over El Salvador in World Cup qualifying Saturday.

Dempsey scored in the 41st and Altidore added the game-winner two minutes into first-half stoppage time at Rio Tinto Stadium. Landon Donovan assisted on both goals.

The U.S. bounced back from a 2-1 loss in Mexico last month with its fourth win in seven CONCACAF final group qualifiers. The Americans temporarily moved atop the group along with Honduras, which defeated Trinidad and Tobago 4-1. Mexico played Costa Rica later Saturday.

The United States entered the match third in the group, even with Honduras and two points behind Costa Rica. The Americans were aggressive early but Donovan wasted a free kick, Dempsey had a poor finish off a perfect pass from Charlie Davies, and Carlos Bocanegra misfired off a cross from Donovan in the first 30 minutes.

El Salvador took advantage of its first chance, off a poor clearance from U.S. defender Jonathan Bornstein, to grab the lead in the 32nd. Bornstein tried to direct the ball back over his head, but instead looped it into the corner of the area.

Rodolfo Zelaya settled the poor clearance, waited for space to open and picked out Cristian Castillo in the middle of the box. Castillo out-jumped U.S. left back Jonathan Spector and directed a looping header past goalie Tim Howard.

The Americans were stunned for a few minutes, but quickly settled back in and took control of the rest of the first half.

Davies split two defenders in the 35th only to shot wide right, Dempsey missed an open header in the 39th, and Davies had a shot cleared off the line in the 40th.

The U.S. finally connected in the 42nd when Donovan delivered a free kick from the right side, and Dempsey beat El Salvador's offside trap. Although a number of U.S. players were offside, Dempsey did well to sneak in and direct a header into the left side from 11 yards.

Donovan set up the second goal with another perfect pass, this time in the run of play from the left side. Donovan swung the ball into the middle of the box, and Altidore jumped to head the ball into the left side from 12 yards.

Donovan had a long-range effort go just over the bar in the 47th, and Bradley drilled another long shot high in the 53rd before the U.S. appeared to clinch the match.

Dempsey did well to win the ball and poke it ahead to Altidore, who then beat a defender and goalie Miguel Montes to the right post, only for the goal to be waved off. Apparently, the goal was waved off for a foul on Dempsey, as El Sal defender Marvin Gonzalez fell over him as he won the ball.

El Salvador had its first good chance in the 63rd but Castillo delivered a bad cross form the left to waste a breakaway.

The U.S. countered two minutes later when Dempsey was freed on a breakaway but he shot directly into Montes with both corners of the goal open. The Americans got a scare in the 72nd when Davies tried to race into the box in the 72nd and went down awkwardly. He left the match limping, and had ice on his calf on the bench.

Howard was not very busy, but he came up with one big save in the 87th. El Sal sub William Reyes had an open look from just 10 yards out, but Howard reacted quickly and dove to his right to smother the ball.

Two U.S. subs nearly combined on the clinching goal in the closing minutes but after Stuart Holden chased down a lose ball by the end line and crossed to the middle to Jose Francisco Torres, his header was kept out by a one-handed save from Montes

El Salvador couldn't reward its goalie in stoppage time, though, as the U.S. held on to improve to 5-0-3 all-time in World Cup qualifying in the series.

The United States, which was without suspended Oguchi Onyewu and injured Jay DeMerit in central defense, continues qualifying on Wednesday at Trinidad and Tobago.