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US, Mexico, Costa Rica retain unbeaten records

The US, Mexico and Costa Rica remained unbeaten in the semi-final phase of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Wednesday. The US stretched their lead atop Group 1 with a 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico downed Canada 2-1 in Tuxtla Gutierrez to consolidate their position atop Group 2, while Group 3 leaders Costa Rica beat hosts Haiti 3-1.

Bryan Ruiz scored in the 12th and 73rd minutes for Costa Rica and Alejandro Alpizar added a third in the 86th in Port-au-Prince.

The US, with nine points from three matches, are virtually assured of reaching the final phase of qualifying after pulling five points clear of Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala.

Guatemala joined Trinidad on four points with a 4-1 win over Cuba in Guatemala City.

The top two teams in each of the three groups advance to the final phase. From there, three teams advance to the finals in South Africa, while the fourth-placed finisher plays off for a berth against a team from South America.

Bradley and Dempsey got the US off to a quick start.

Bradley struck first, firing home in the ninth minute.

Nine minutes later, Dempsey made it 2-0 with a powerful shot. Ching added a header in the 57th to round off the scoring.

Mexico received a spark from sub Omar Bravo when he fired a header past Lars Hirschfeld in the 58th minute.

Rafael Marquez made it 2-0 for Mexico in the 72nd, and Canadian Ali Gerba’s 77th minute goal wasn’t enough to prevent Mexico from remaining perfect with nine points from three matches in Group 2.

Honduras maintained their second-placed spot in Group 2 with a 2-0 victory over Jamaica in San Pedro Sula.

Ramon Nunez in the 60th minute and Amada Guevara from the penalty spot in the 73rd secured the victory for Honduras.

El Salvador stayed in position to advance with a 2-0 away win over Suriname in Paramaribo that left them on six points.
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