THE United States clinched a berth in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying final round after thumping 10-man Cuba 6-1 on Saturday, while Sven Goran Eriksson suffered his first defeat as Mexico coach in a 1-0 loss to Jamaica.
DaMarcus Beasley scored twice in the first half and Landon Donovan, Brian Ching, Jozy Altidore and Oguchi Onyewu added goals in the second half as Bob Bradley's American side strolled to an impressive victory at RFK Stadium.
Jensy Munoz scored the lone goal for the Cubans who had to play for over half the match with 10 players after Yoel Colome was dismissed late in the first half after receiving his second yellow card for a heavy foul on Landon Donovan.
"We wanted to do it with a good strong team performance, and I think that was the case," USA coach Bradley said.
"We felt good about the way we moved the ball around."
It was the fourth straight win for the Americans, who secured their place in the next stage by moving up to 12 points in Group One, seven ahead Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago, who played out a goalless draw at the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala.
In Group Two, Jamaica recorded their first win with a surprise 1-0 win over Mexico in Kingston.
The only goal was scored in the 14th minute when a long range shot by Ricardo Fuller took a deflection off Rafael Marquez on its way past goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
The closest that the Aztecs came to an equaliser was a long range shot by Fernando Arce that just cleared the crossbar.
Mexico remained at the top of the group although Honduras drew level on nine points after downing Canada 3-1.
Walter Martinez opened the scoring in the ninth minute in San Pedro Sula but Andrew Hainault levelled for the visitors with a header nine minutes into the second half.
However, Carlos Costly restored the home side's lead in the 65th minute and Hendry Thomas sealed the win in the final minute.
Costa Rica also secured their place in the final round after remaining perfect in Group Three with a 4-1 away win over Surinam in Panamarimbo.
Walter Centeno, Celso Borges, Armando Alonso and Alejandro Solis scored for the visitors with Clifton Sandvliet netting Surinam's lone response.
Costa Rica have a maximum 12 points from four games and are five clear of El Salvador, who played out a goalless draw in Haiti.
Jensy Munoz scored the lone goal for the Cubans who had to play for over half the match with 10 players after Yoel Colome was dismissed late in the first half after receiving his second yellow card for a heavy foul on Landon Donovan.
"We wanted to do it with a good strong team performance, and I think that was the case," USA coach Bradley said.
"We felt good about the way we moved the ball around."
It was the fourth straight win for the Americans, who secured their place in the next stage by moving up to 12 points in Group One, seven ahead Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago, who played out a goalless draw at the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala.
In Group Two, Jamaica recorded their first win with a surprise 1-0 win over Mexico in Kingston.
The only goal was scored in the 14th minute when a long range shot by Ricardo Fuller took a deflection off Rafael Marquez on its way past goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
The closest that the Aztecs came to an equaliser was a long range shot by Fernando Arce that just cleared the crossbar.
Mexico remained at the top of the group although Honduras drew level on nine points after downing Canada 3-1.
Walter Martinez opened the scoring in the ninth minute in San Pedro Sula but Andrew Hainault levelled for the visitors with a header nine minutes into the second half.
However, Carlos Costly restored the home side's lead in the 65th minute and Hendry Thomas sealed the win in the final minute.
Costa Rica also secured their place in the final round after remaining perfect in Group Three with a 4-1 away win over Surinam in Panamarimbo.
Walter Centeno, Celso Borges, Armando Alonso and Alejandro Solis scored for the visitors with Clifton Sandvliet netting Surinam's lone response.
Costa Rica have a maximum 12 points from four games and are five clear of El Salvador, who played out a goalless draw in Haiti.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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