2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CONCACAF): Team USA And Guatemala On Cusp Of Advancing After Dramatic Wins; Ticos Move To Second Place In Group B After Road Win At El Salvador; Panama and Canada In Top Two In Group C With One Game Left

Six games were played on Friday as the third round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup out of the CONCACAF region resumed.

Group A:

At North Sound, Antigua:

Eddie Johnson scored twice (20', 90') as the United States defeated Antigua and Barbuda (eliminating the hosts in the process) 2-1 on the road to remain level on points atop Group A with their third-qualifying-round finale with co-leaders Guatemala (Tuesday at Kansas City, Kansas )on the horizon).  The Americans would need only a draw to assure a berth in the final qualifying round.

At Guatemala City:

Carlos Ruiz scored the winning goal in the 85th minute as Guatemala defeated visiting Jamaica 2-1 to remained level on points with Team USA atop Group A.  A road draw on Tuesday with the Americans would place Guatemala in the final qualifying round.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. United States (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. Guatemala (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Jamaica (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. z-Antigua and Barbuda (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from contention

Group B:

At Houston:

Due to a scheduling conflict concerning the originally-scheduled venue of Guyana's Providence Stadium, the game at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston was designated a home win for Guyana's national team.  It did the Guyanans no good, though, as five different goal scorers---Andres Guardado (77'), Oribe Peralta (79'), Charles Pollard (OG-83'), Javier (Chicharito) Hernandez (84'), and Angel Reyna (86')---each delivered a tally during a ten-minute as Mexico (who had already advanced) turned what had been a surprisingly tight contest into a 5-0 road demolition.

At San Salvador, El Salvador:

Jose Miguel Cubero scored the only goal of the match in the 31st minute as Costa Rica took over second place in Group B with their 1-0 road win over El Salvador.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. y-Mexico (GP: 5; GD: +11; PTS: 15)
2. Costa Rica (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
3. El Salvador (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)
4. z-Guyana (GP: 5; GD: -12; PTS: 1)

y-Won Group B and advanced to final qualifying round
z-Eliminated from contention

Group C:

At Toronto:

Tosaint Ricketts (14'), Will Johnson (73'), and David Edgar (79') each scored a goal as Canada blanked Cuba 3-0 at home.  The Canadians, should they gain a Tuesday draw at Honduras, would advance to the final qualifying round.

At Panama City, Panama:

Panama wound up level on points atop Group C with Canada following their 0-0 home draw with Honduras.  The Panamanians can clinch a final-qualifying-round berth with a draw on Tuesday on the road against Cuba.  Should they defeat Canada at home, the Hondurans would advance to the final qualifying round as well.

GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Panama (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
2. Canada (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Honduras (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. z-Cuba (GP: 5; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from contention