Only five places remain up for grabs in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying hexagonal.
Mexico became the first nation to clinch a place in the final qualifying round, topping Costa Rica 1-0 at Estadio Azteca Tuesday night on the strength of a 60th-minute Javier Hernandez header. With the win, Mexico improved to a perfect 4-0-0 and assured itself of finishing atop Group B regardless of the outcome of the final two matches.
The second spot in Group B is very much up in the air, as El Salvador crept a point ahead of Costa Rica with a 3-2 win over upstart Guyana. Rafael Burgos' 76th-minute winner broke a 2-2 tie between the two sides that combined for nine goals in their two matches Friday and Tuesday.
In other CONCACAF qualifying matches Tuesday:
DE ROSARIO HURT IN CANADA LOSS
Canada's optimism after defeating Panama on Friday has quickly subsided.
D.C. United captain Dwayne De Rosario injured his knee and was forced to come off in the 6th minute, and Canada never recovered, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat to Los Canaleros in Panama City. Rolando Blackburn and FC Dallas striker Blas Perez scored on either side of halftime to deliver a victory that puts Panama on top of Group B and sends Canada into third place after a brief time atop the group.
According to multiple reports, De Rosario will be undergoing an MRI on his knee to determine the severity of the injury.
RUIZ GOAL LIFTS GUATEMALA INTO FIRST-PLACE TIE WITH USA
Carlos Ruiz' knack for coming through in the clutch for Guatemala continues.
Ruiz' highlight-reel volley midway through the first half was the difference in Guatemala's 1-0 victory over Antigua and Barbuda, one that put Los Chapines level with the USA and Jamaica on seven points and even with the USA on goal differential.
Guatemala faces Jamaica and the USA in the final games of group play next month, hosting the Reggae Boyz Oct. 12 before traveling to Livestrong Sporting Park for the finale against the Americans.
HONDURAS ELIMINATES CUBA
Cuba became the first team eliminated from the semifinal round after a 1-0 loss to Honduras in San Pedro Sula. New England Revolution striker Jerry Bengtson scored against Cuba for the second time in five days to provide the match-winner, as Los Catrachos used the victory to pull level with Canada on points but get the edge on goal differential for second place.
CONCACAF QUALIFYING STANDINGS
GROUP A
1. United States, 7 points, +2 GD
2. Guatemala, 7 points, +2 GD
3. Jamaica, 7 points, +1 GD
4. Antigua and Barbuda, 1 point, -5 GD
GROUP B
1. Mexico, 12 points, +6 GD
2. El Salvador, 5 points, 0 GD
3. Costa Rica, 4 points, +1 GD
4. Guyana, 1 point, -7 GD
GROUP C
1. Panama, 9 points, +4 GD
2. Honduras, 7 points, +2, GD
3. Canada, 7 points, 0 GD
4. Cuba, 0 points, -6 GD
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What did you think of Tuesday's results? Impressed at how Mexico has handled group play? Do you think Canada has a shot at getting past either Panama or Honduras and qualifying for the Hex? Who do you see winning the important Guatemala-Jamaica Group A matchup next month?
Share your thoughts below.
Despite our recent trouble with them, I hope Jamaica makes the cut. I’d like to see at least one West Indies team in the mix.
Congratulations Mexico team for great victory against Costa Rica!! Keep playing nice game.
At the time, he was Chicago’s John Thorrington. But now he’s Vancouver’s John Thorrington.
Are there some other John Thorringtons out there that might confuse you about his identity?
I’m not a DC fan, but I really hope DeRo is not hurt – I’d like him to inflict some damage on the other teams in the East (the Fire excluded of course).
Sad to hear about T & T but not surprising from Warner 🙁
Mexicos starting Xl
I think for that reason that Guatemala-Jamaica is going to be a cracking game. Guatemala really must win, or else they will be eliminated if Jamaica get a better result against A&B than Guatemala do against the US. Likewise Jamaica cannot lose, or else the draw scenario that Sergio describes is set up. (Assuming the US beats Antigua. I can assume that, can’t I? Please?)
I think this Jamaica team has enough quality to get that result in Guatemala, especially if they use their speedy players in a counterattacking game. Hopefully it will be a win, because that would set up an easy home game against Guatemala.
Yeah Jack Warner has left their football in terrible shape
No way. seriously?
Boooo
I think Guatemala will handle their business at home against Jamaica. And then Jamaica will probably beat Antigua at home. If that plays out all Guatemala would need is a draw against the US and they would both advance and eliminate Jamaica. THat being said, strange things may happen. It may just come down to goals.
Guyana knocked them out in the previous round
whose John Thorrington?
What do you mean “finally finding a way to win in Costa Rica”? Mexico hasn’t lost in Costa Rica in 20 years.
US, Mexico plus Panama and Guatemala. Mark it
what happened to Trinidad and Tobago?
Providing we qualify for the WC, we should play both them in a friendly before the WC like in May or so
10 best players in CONCACAF go……
Congrats to Mexico, especially finally finding a way to win in Costa Rica.
I cannot wait until the USMNT plays them again case it’s gonna be epic. I love this rivalry.
Goodbye Canada. How is it that their team suck so much?
Thorrington!
That’s what we do here. Lament the past and worry about the future! It’s our job.
We did the same thing in the semifinal round for 2010. This is the lineup we had against Guatemala in 2008.
Brad GUZAN (GK)
Jonathan BORNSTEIN
Clarence GOODSON
Pablo MASTROENI (C)
John THORRINGTON
Kenny COOPER (-75′)
Freddy ADU (-83′)
Ricardo CLARK
Jozy ALTIDORE (-75′)
Michael PARKHURST
Sacha KLJESTAN
blah is all I can say to those guys and to those two games we played (Trinidad and Guat)
/facepalm
my poor DCU…
Ouch for Canada. Get well soon DeRo
You can lament the past, be anxious about the future; but the Gavachos ride on! We’re gonna win the Hex, we’re gonna win the hex, I don’t know how, I don’t know when, WE’RE GONNA WIN THE HEX! NEXT YEAR!
If you don’t think failing to close out Gautamela or the loss on Friday don’t matter as long as we qualify, think about the opportuntiy Mexico has now. They can expereiment with formations, give young players expereince and so on. I wish we had the same chance over the last two games.
Oh well..
OMFG DeRO NOOOOOOOOOOO we’re trying to make the playoffs! AHhhhh!!