2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CONCACAF): Team USA, Reggae Boyz, Honduras, Panama, Ticos Join El Tri In Final Qualifying Round

Six games were played on Tuesday as the third round of CONCACAF regional qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup concluded.

Group A:

At Kansas City, Kansas:

After conceding an early goal, the United States, as Clint Dempsey scored twice (18', 36') and assisted once (on Carlos Bocanegra's tally in the 10th minute), stormed back to top visiting Guatemala 3-1 and finished atop Group A and advanced to the final qualifying round.

At Kingston, Jamaica:

Dane Richards scored twice (78', 88') as Jamaica dominated visiting Antigua and Barbuda 4-1.  The win by that three-goal margin, combined with Guatemala's two-goal defeat at the hands of Team USA, enabled the Reggae Boys to advance to the final qualifying round on goal differential (+3 to +1 for the Guatemalans).

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. United States (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 13)
2. Jamaica (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Guatemala (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
4. Antigua and Barbuda (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

The United States and Jamaica advanced to the final qualifying round.

Group B:

At San Jose, Costa Rica:

Randall Brenes  (10', 48') and Alvaro Saboria (PK-51', 76') each scored twice as Costa Rica locked up a berth in the final qualifying round with a 7-0 home annihilation of Guyana. 

At Torreon, Mexico:

Oribe Peralta (65') and Javier Hernandez (85') each scored a goal as Mexico completed the third qualifying round with a perfect record with a 2-0 home blanking of El Salvador.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Mexico (GP: 6; GD: +13; PTS: 18)
2. Costa Rica (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 10)
3. El Salvador (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
4. Guyana (GP: 6; GD: -19; PTS: 1)

Mexico and Costa Rica advanced to the final qualifying round.

Group C:

At Havana, Cuba:

Nelson Barahona's equalizer in the 77th minute lifted Panama to a 1-1 road draw with Cuba---and a berth in the final qualifying round.  Alberto Gomez scored the Cubans' only goal in this third qualifying round in the 38th minute.

At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:

Jerry Bengston (7', 16', 83') and Carlo Costly (30', 49', 88') each delivered a hat trick while Mario Martinez added a double (32', 59') as Honduras locked up a berth in the final round of qualifying by destroying visiting Canada (and the Canucks' dreams of advancing) 8-1.

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Honduras (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 11)
2. Panama (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. Canada (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 10)
4. Cuba (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

Honduras and Panama advanced to the final qualifying round. 

The final, or Hexagonal, round of qualifying will be played next year, with the games taking place between February and October.  Each team will play two games apiece (one at home, one on the road) against each of the other five teams in the group.  The three teams with the best records will advance to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the fourth-placed finisher to play in a two-match home-and-away playoff against the winners from Oceania for the final available berth in Brazil.