The United States continued to win in World Cup Qualifying, beating Jamaica 2-0 at Sporting Park on Friday night to clinch the top spot in the Hexagonal round. Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi subbed on for Landon Donovan at halftime and scored in the 77th minute. Jozy Altidore followed with service from Edgar Castillo in the 81st.
With qualifying already secure for the USA, Jamaica needed all three points to keep any hope of qualifying alive. Instead, the United States had no problem absorbing the Jamaica attack. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann used his substitutes to adjust the US formation, opening up play and leading to both goals.
In the early game, Honduras beat Costa Rica 1-0 ensuring that Honduras will finish at least fourth and qualify for the World Cup playoff with Oceania. Jerry Bengston scored that game’s goal in the 65th minute. In the late game, Mexico beat Panama 2-1. Oribe Peralta opened the scoring in the 40th minute. Javier Hernandez missed a 58th minute penalty and Panama equalized through Luis Tejada in the 81st minute. Raul Jimenez scored Mexico’s winner in the 86th minute with a bicycle kick.
— GAME REPORT —
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Jamaica
Date: Oct. 11, 2013
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Final Round
Venue: Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. CT
Attendance: 18,467
Weather: 72 degrees, cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 2 2
JAM 0 0 0
USA – Graham Zusi (Alejandro Bedoya) 77th minute
USA – Jozy Altidore (Edgar Castillo) 81
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard (capt.); 6-Brad Evans, 20-Geoff Cameron, 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley (2-Edgar Castillo, 66); 11-Alejandro Bedoya, 8-Mix Diskerud, 13-Jermaine Jones, 10-Landon Donovan (19-Graham Zusi, 46); 9-Aron Johannsson (16-Sacha Kljestan, 72), 17-Jozy Altidore
Substitutions Not Used: 3-Michael Orozco, 12-Brad Guzan, 14-Terrence Boyd, 23-Kyle Beckerman
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
JAM: 1-DuWayne Kerr; 12-Demar Phillips, 19-Adrian Mariappa, 7-Westley Morgan, 3-Lloyd Doyley; 11-Darren Mattocks , 17-Rodolph Austin (capt.), 15-Je-Vaughn Watson (14-Theo Robinson, 73), 22-Deshorn Brown; 10-Joel McAnuff, 9-Ryan Johnson (21-Jermain Anderson, 85)
Substitutions Not Used: 2- Daniel Gordon, 4-Marvin Ellitott, 5-Alvas Powell, 6-Romario Campbell, 8-Jermaine Johnson, 13-Richard McCallum, 16-Jermaine Taylor, 18-Shaun Cummings, 20-Kemar Lawrence, 23-Gariece McPherson
Head coach: Winfried Schaefer
Stats Summary: USA / JAM
Shots: 14 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 5
Saves: 5 / 3
Corner Kicks: 3 / 2
Fouls: 14 / 15
Offside: 3 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Sacha Kljestan (caution) 90+1st minute
JAM – Jermain Anderson (caution) 90+2
Officials:
Referee: Elmer Bonilla (SLV)
Assistant Referee 1: Hermenerito Leal (GUA)
Assistant Referee 2: Ronaldo De La Cruz (GUA)
Fourth Official: Sandy Vasquez (DOM)
