World Cup Qualifying (CONCACAF): Freddy Adu's Goal Helps Team USA Eliminate Guatemala; T&T, Mexico, Honduras Advance

The third round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup from the CONCACAF region concluded Wednesday:

Group One:

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Goals from Kenny Cooper, Jr. (54') and Freddy Adu (69', his first for the US National Team) paced the United States to a 2-0 home win over Guatemala, eliminating the visitors from contention for a spot in next year's final qualifying round.

At Port Of Spain, Trinidad:

Kenwyne Jones (67'), Dwight Yorke (69'), and Keon Daniel (89') provided second-half goals as Trinidad and Tobago locked up a berth in the final qualifying round as they busted open a stalemated contest and overpowered visiting Cuba 3-0.

FINAL GROUP ONE STANDINGS:

1. United States (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 15)
2. Trinidad and Tobago (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
3. Guatemala (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 5)
4. Cuba (GP: 6; GD: -13; PTS: 3)

The United States and Trinidad and Tobago advanced to the final round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Group Two:

At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:

Thanks to Ricardo Osorio's own goal (52'), Honduras locked up a berth in the final qualifying round with a 1-0 home win over Mexico. Despite the loss, the Mexicans still advanced as well because of their superior goal differential vis-a-viv Jamaica (+3 to 0)

At Kingston, Jamaica:

Goals from Luton Shelton (27'), Marlon King (PK-57'), and Omar Cummings (86'), Jamica manhandled visiting (and already-eliminated) Canada 3-0. The Reggae Boyz were still eliminated, however, because of their inferior overall goal differential in comparison to that of Mexico.

FINAL GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. Honduras (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
2. Mexico (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Jamaica (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
4. Canada (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 2)

Honduras and Mexico (in their case, due to superior overall goal differential in comparison to that of Jamaica) advanced to the final qualifying round.

Group Three:

At Paramarimbo, Suriname:

In a battle of eliminated teams, Wensley Christoph's equalizer (41') enabled Suriname to salvage a 1-1 home draw with Haiti. Leonel Saint-Preux provided the Haitians' goal at 30 minuts.

At San Salvador, El Salvador:

In a battle of teams already bound for the final qualifying round, Roy Myrie scored twice (23', 90'+4) to help lead Costa Rica to a 3-1 road win over El Salvador.

FINAL GROUP THREE STANDINGS:

1. Costa Rica (GP: 6; GD: +17; PTS: 18)
2. El Salvador (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 10)
3. Haiti (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 3)
4. Suriname (GP: 6; GD: -15; PTS: 2)

Costa Rica and El Salvador advanced to the final qualifying round.