Guatemala 2 - Jamaica 1; United States of America 2 - Antigua and Barbuda 1

North Sound and its tiny pitch was the site as the Benna Boys of Antigua and Barbuda hosted group favorites United States of America.  Much had been made of the American's decision to leave striker Jozy Altidore at home, but his replacement Eddie Johnson seemed intent on making all the pundits pipe down.  A Graham Zusi cross allowed Johnson to raise up and meet it with his head, giving the Americans a lead after twenty minutes.  However, Antigua would not allow themselves any time for pity.  Forward Peter Byers bolted to the endline, beating American center back Geoff Cameron in time to slot back across the box for an onrushing Dexter Blackstock to equalize with his first ever international goal.  Seven minutes elapsed before another Zusi cross found Johnson's head, but this time there would be no goal as the header went wide.  Tim Howard was forced into a diving catch by a long-distance effort from Randolph Burton.  The half ended with the teams level at 1-1.

The Americans controlled possession in the second half, but the lion's share of attacking chances went to Antigua.  None of the Antigua chances truly bothered Howard, but their frequency must have been disconcerting.  American midfielder Jermaine Jones picked up a yellow card in his appearance as a substitute for an intentional handball, thereby getting himself suspended for the game against Guatemala on Tuesday.  In the final ten minutes, the tide of momentum turned. Substitute Sasha Kljestan hit a knuckling curveball from twenty-five yards, but Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James was able to parry it away.  James then tipped a well-struck header from Michael Bradley onto his crossbar and out of play five minutes later.  Just when it seemed the spoils would be shared, a cross from Alan Gordon found Johnson's head for a stoppage time winner for the United States.  The Americans win 2-1 on their first trip to Antigua and take the lead in Group One.

Guatemala City was the scene as Guatemala welcomed Jamaica to town.  Carlos Figueroa received a pass twenty-six yards from goal and then proceeded to slalom through five defenders before finishing from eight yards over an oncoming goalkeeper to give Los Chapines a 1-0 lead.  The Reggae Boyz had a chance at the equalizer after a lofted through ball beat the offsides trap, but an amazing recovery run by Elias Vasquez allowed him to make a saving tackle and clearance.  The half ended with Guatemala up 1-0.

Dane Richards, a first-half substitution, made a world of difference in the second half for the Reggae Boyz.  Richards beat Jose Contreras to a loose ball on the hour mark and was tripped just inside the top of the box, giving Jamaica a penalty.  After the conversion, the match was tied at one goal apiece.  With five minutes to go, the all-time leading goal scorer for Guatemala Carlos Ruiz (pictured, white) came through in the clutch.  He ran to the near post on an inswinging corner kick and rose before his defenders to head home with authority.  Los Chapines held on through to the end, and Guatemala win 2-1 to move within one point of the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

USA 10 pts +3
Guatemala 10 pts +3
Jamaica 7 pts 0
Antigua OUT

Goals
United States of America
Eddie Johnson 20, 90

Antigua and Barbuda
Dexter Blackstock 25

Guatemala
Carlos Figueroa 16
Carlos Ruiz 85

Jamaica
Luton Shelton 61 PK

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/10/12/us-soccer-survive-antigua-barbuda.ap/index.html?sct=sc_t12_a1
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/grant_wahl/10/12/us-survives-antigua-barbuda/index.html?sct=sc_t12_a0
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/avi_creditor/10/12/us-player-ratings-antigua-barbuda/index.html?sct=sc_t12_a2
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/1064?cc=5901
http://boxscorenews.com/late-ruiz-goal-lifts-guatemala-over-jamaica-in-world-cup-qualifying-p49185-68.htm

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uNjawxKPzw (USA v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg0fQbTDNfw (Guatemala v. Jamaica)