CARSON, California (CMC):

TRINIDAD AND Tobago failed to hold an early lead and slipped to a 2-1 loss to El Salvador in their opening CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B game on Thursday night.

Ramn Sanchez and Dennis Alas scored for the Central Americans to wipe off Silvio Spann's early strike that had given the Soca Warriors a bright start to the fixture watched by 21,334 fans at The Home Depot Center.

The result gave El Salvador a share of the early group lead with the United States, who beat Guatemala 1-0 in the night's earlier game.

Midfielder Spann, who plays for reigning Caribbean club champions W Connection, spectacularly gave the T&T Soca Warriors an eighth-minute lead when he pumped in a stunning free-kick from over 40 yards.

Striker fouled

Striker Darryl Roberts was fouled just below the centre circle and Spann spotted the ball and drove a terrific shot that evaded goalkeeper Juan Gomez and hit the inside of the upright before lodging into the back of the net.

The game developed into an intense midfield battle and El Salvador eventually struck the equaliser 11 minutes before halftime.

Eliseo Quintanilla swung the ball from the flank inside the penalty area and Cesar Larios attempted a bicycle kick that deflected the ball to Sanchez, who struck the ball past T&T goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams.

The second half was more open than the first, with both sides exchanging opportunities.

Trinidad and Tobago, who qualified for the Gold Cup by finishing runners-up to Haiti in the Digicel Caribbean Cup in January, bothered the El Salvador defence with good pace in attack but Gomez denied all their attempts at goal.

Man of the match

Man of the match Alas snatched the winning goal nine minutes from the end.

José Martnez shot at goal that was blocked by Keyeno Thomas, whose defensive effort only sent the ball toward the top of the box where Alas rushed in and smashed the rebound into the back of the net on 81minutes.

Meanwhile, a first-half goal from midfielder Clint Dempsey earned the U.S. a 1-0 win against Guatemala at the same venue.

Dempsey scored in the 26th minute at the Home Depot Center after Taylor Twellman's superb cross left him unmarked with only the goalkeeper to beat.

It was Dempsey's eighth goal for his country in his 25th appearance.

U.S. forward Landon Donovan was a constant threat on the right as the defending champions dominated the opening period before squandering two more opportunities shortly before half-time.

Inspired performance

The hosts then had to survive an inspired performance by Guatemala in the second period when veteran playmaker Carlos Ruz put Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and his defenders under concerted pressure.

When the second set of Group B matches are played today, El Salvador will play Central American rivals Guatemala while Trinidad and Tobago will play the U.S.