USA vs. St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Score, Reaction from 2018 WC Qualifier

The United States men's national soccer team started its 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign on the right foot with a 6-1 victory over St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday.

Led by Jozy Altidore's two goals, the United States had five different goal scorers in a clinic against a smaller St. Vincent side. It looked to be an easy first challenge as the 33rd-ranked Americans hosted a St. Vincent team that ranked 129th in the world.

But St. Vincent wasn't reading too much into it. Just five minutes into the game, the CONCACAF minnows stunned the United States through Oalex Anderson.

Anderson was able to bring a straightforward ball that came off the foot of defender Geoff Cameron into the box and beat Brad Guzan.

SB Nation Soccer showed the visitors' unexpected early goal:

The Oregonian's Jamie Goldberg summed it up best:

United States fans, though, were able to calm down six minutes later, when Bobby Wood's header tied things up. After some wonderful movement on the right side of the pitch, Michael Bradley sent in DeAndre Yedlin, whose cross was sent home by Wood.

U.S. Soccer shared the replay:

ESPN Deportes' Wiso Vazquez wasn't over the start of the match:

The goal stabilized things for the Americans, who took control of the game shortly thereafter. The United States spent plenty of time near the St. Vincent goal, using great buildup play to get good looks at the net. 

Wood had another chance five minutes later when Fabian Johnson sent him in on goal, but with the onrushing goalkeeper, he chipped his chance wide. Gyasi Zardes and Johnson followed with misses. 

Johnson didn't miss a free kick in the 29th minute. From just outside the box, his attempt glanced off the St. Vincent wall and into the back of the net, as Total MLS showed:

Yahoo Sports' Joe Lago liked what he saw from Johnson:

Two minutes later, a corner glanced onto the unmarked Jozy Altidore, who tapped in his header at the far post to give the United States a two-goal lead. It was Altidore's 30th goal for the national team, making him the fifth player to ever do so for the Americans, per the ESPN2 telecast.

Cameron and Zardes scored seven minutes apart, starting in the 51st minute, to give the United States a 5-1 lead. 

Altidore's second of the night came in the 74th minute, when he held off a defender for a few seconds in the middle of the box, with no other St. Vincent defenders coming to help. His turning effort glanced off the head of a defender and into the net.

ESPN FC shared the replay (via Sports at Web):

Kick TV's Heath Pearce made sure to give the United States fans a reminder while they saw their team run away with things Friday:

The result was never in doubt, as this match was between a side of professional players and amateurs. But much can be said about St. Vincent's resolve and ability to even get one goal against a top international side. 

For the United States, it was an easy opening match that could help the team ease into qualifying play. The Americans will face a stiffer test against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

Stats courtesy of FoxSports.com.