COLUMBUS, Ohio - DaMarcus Beasley scored twice and Greg Vanney added a goal in second-half injury time to lead the United States over Grenada 3-0 Sunday in the Americans' opening qualifier for the 2006 World Cup. Kasey Keller got his 38th victory, surpassing Tony Meola for the lead among U.S. goalkeepers, blanking a tiny nation ranked 138th in the world. The No. 9 Americans, a quarterfinalist at the 2002 World Cup, dominated throughout, outshooting the Spice Boyz 34-6 and piling up a 17-1 advantage on corner kicks. But Grenada packed in its defenders and frequently frustrated the United States, which had hoped to win by more going into the second leg of the total-goals series, next Sunday in Grenada. After the game, Grenada's players turned toward their fans in the crowd of 9,137 and clapped in appreciation, and fans waved their flags in return. Still, the Americans are in good shape — they have not lost a World Cup qualifier by three or more goals since Mexico routed them 5-1 in 1980. With the United States showing high energy at the start, Grenada defender Kennedy Phillip cleared Carlos Bocanegra's header off the goal line in the 39th minute. Four minutes later midfielder Ricky Charles cleared shots by both Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride. Despite an attack that featured three forwards, the United States didn't break through until the 45th minute, when Beasley headed a lofting cross from Claudio Reyna over goalkeeper Kellon Baptiste from about 4 yards out for his first career World Cup qualifying goal. Beasley made it 2-0 in the 71st minute after streaking down the field with Landon Donovan, taking a pass and beating Baptiste on one touch from about 15 yards. Vanney scored off a pass from Eddie Lewis, who came into the game in the 73rd minute for Chris Armas. Vanney took the ball just outside the penalty area and sent a shot that weaved through three defenders and off the fingertips of a diving Baptiste. Grenada's offense came on counterattacks. Jason Roberts, who plays for Wigan Athletic in the English first division, challenged American defenders with his size, speed and physical play. The home-and-home encounter is the first for the Americans since 1988, when they beat Jamaica 5-1 and went on the following year to qualify for their first World Cup since 1950. The Americans had a first-round bye this year while Grenada overwhelmed Guyana 8-1. The winner of this series advances to a semifinal group in the North and Central American and Caribbean region that is likely to include El Salvador, Jamaica and Panama. The top two teams move on to next year's regional finals. SOURCE: CARIBUPDATE.COM