United States of America 3 - Panama 2

Photo by Arnulfo Franco

Panama were at home in Panama City and needed a win against United States of America coupled with a Costa Rica win against Mexico in order to qualify for the intercontinental playoffs.  The Yanks' squad was full of second-stringers looking to make their way into the squad at next summer's tournament finals.  American left back Edgar Castillo made an awful pass in his final third that was easily picked off by Humberto Quintero.  Quintero hit a through ball by Castillo into Marcos Sanchez, who touched off for Gabriel Torres.  Torres executed a no-frills finish to make it 1-0.  Panama had chances to extend their lead, but they did not take them.  Panama took a vital 1-0 lead with them into their locker room.

Second half substitute Brad Davis proved to be the man of the match for the Americans.  His corner sailed just over Clarence Goodson's head, but Goodson's leap unsighted Panama defender Carlos Rodriguez.  This allowed Michael Orozco to nod a free header into the goal to level the match.  Two Panama substitutes linked up to put their team ahead with only seven minutes left in regulation.  Roberto Chen made a run to the end line before hitting desperately back across the box.  United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan tried to catch the ball, but he could only tip it.  Panama substitute Luis Tejada was alert and able to tap home the short rebound for 2-1.  Coupled with Costa Rica's lead, this goal would be enough to send Panama into the playoffs, and a pressing question began to swirl in the minds of many.  Would the United States lie down in order to eliminate their eternal rivals Mexico?  The answer was a resounding "no!"  In stoppage time, Davis provided an inch-perfect cross from the left flank that allowed Graham Zusi to rise high and head into the near side netting for the late equalizer.  Jairo Jimenez had mistakenly chosen to double team the ball rather than go with the run of Davis, and his side paid a hefty price.  Panama had had their heart ripped out, so the Americans took advantage one minute later.  Terrence Boyd played a pass to Aron Johannsson (pictured, white #9), who took a touch to his right foot before curling his first international goal into the near lower corner.  Tejada was given a second yellow card for a late tackle, leaving only ten Panamanians on the pitch at the conclusion of the match.  The miraculous turnaround in stoppage time results in a 3-2 victory for the United States that sends archrivals Mexico a lifeline in the form of a berth in the intercontinental playoffs.  Panama are eliminated in a match that two minutes prior to its conclusion would have kept them afloat in their quest for Brasil 2014.

USA 22 pts IN
Costa Rica 18 pts IN
Honduras 15 pts IN
Mexico 11 pts
Panama OUT
Jamaica OUT

Goals
United States of America
Michael Orozco 64
Graham Zusi 90+2
Aron Johannsson 90+3

Panama
Gabriel Torres 18
Luis Tejada 83

Match Reports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/panama-2-3-united-states-world-cup-qualifier-review-yanks-end-wild-campaign-101513
http://soccer.si.com/2013/10/16/usa-panama-concacaf-world-cup-qualifying/?sct=sc_t11_a1

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxAonpKPU1E

Costa Rica 2 - Mexico 1

Photo by Moises Castillo

San Jose was the site of Costa Rica's home match against Mexico.  Costa Rica had not won a home qualifier against Mexico since 1992, a string of five matches without a win.  A result for Mexico would see them avoid elimination, and a two-goal win coupled with a Honduras loss would put them into Brasil 2014.  Costa Rica were the superior side in the early going, but Mexico weathered the proverbial storm and the non-metaphorical rain storm.  Mexico created a golden opportunity off a Carlos Peña through ball to Oribe Peralta.  Two-on-one with the goalkeeper, Peralta pushed a pass laterally to Javier Hernandez, who swung and nearly missed at the open goal, forcing Peralta to tap in the miss while in an offside position.  Costa Rica were not feeing charitable on this night, so they added to the Mexican misery.  Hugo Ayala could not clear a ball out of defense cleanly due to the coverage from Cristian Bolaños.  The ball bounced in the box, and Ticos forward Bryan Ruiz headed a ball to himself before doing a 270-degree turn off two defenders to free up space.  Ruiz then scored the opening goal from eleven yards out.  Peña played another fine through ball forward, this time to Hernandez.  Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas came off his line well to tap the ball away from Hernandez, but Peralta received the rebound and blasted the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.  The half ended 1-1.

Not quite twenty minutes into the second half, the Ticos restored their lead.  Joel Campbell passed ahead to Christian Gamboa down the right flank.  Gamboa then crossed into the center of the box to a wide-open Alvaro Saborio.  Saborio easily redirected a header on frame to make it 2-1 in favor of the hosts.  Bolaños's shot for a third goal hit the post, leaving Mexico with hope of a draw to secure their playoff berth.  Mexico goalkeeper denied Bolaños late in the match, but it was not enough to get his team back in the match.  Costa Rica win 2-1 to leave Mexico in dire need of help from the United States of America in order to survive.

Goals
Costa Rica
Bryan Ruiz 26
Alvaro Saborio 64

Mexico
Oribe Peralta 29

Match Reports:
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/10/16/costa-rica-2-mexico-1-world-cup-qualifying-match-recap
http://fansided.com/2013/10/15/costa-rica-vs-mexico-final-score-el-tri-falls-ticos-2-1-still-advance-play/
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/97780/costa-rica-vs-mexico/report?
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/15/4843228/mexico-costa-rica-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCsAvNLnoXM

Jamaica 2 - Honduras 2

Photo by Ricardo Makyn

Jamaica were at home in Kingston to finish their FIFA World Cup journey against Honduras.  The visitors needed a draw to secure their place at Brasil 2014.  In the first minute of the match, Honduras claimed a corner kick.  They scored when Carlo Costly hit a side volley through a defender's legs that found the back of the Jamaican net.  Two minutes later the match was level.  The two Jamaican forwards Darren Mattocks and Jermaine Anderson wreaked havoc and confusion among the five Honduras, and in the goal mouth scramble, Anderson's shot was bungled over the line for an own goal.  Thirty minutes later, Honduras were back in the lead.  Maynor Figueroa smacked a free kick from thirty-five yards that sailed into the goal thanks to a soft four-man wall.  Honduras led 2-1 at halftime and were forty-five minutes away from securing their qualification.

Not quite fifteen minutes after the restart, Honduras were whistled for a handball inside their own box.  Jamaica converted the penalty kick to restore parity at two goals apiece.  The rest of the match did not feature much intensity, perhaps due to the dearth of fans in attendance.  The 2-2 draw is enough to send Honduras into the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, to be held in Brasil in June 2013.

Goals
Honduras
Carlo Costly 1
Maynor Figueroa 33

Jamaica
Jorge Claros 3 OG
Rodolph Austin 58

Match Reports:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/match-report--honduras--jamaica-draw-2-2
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/15/4843504/jamaica-honduras-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Mhgt0dFao

Mexico 2 - Panama 1

Mexico were looking for their first home win in the Hexagonal with Panama paying them a visit in Mexico City.  The match was a slog for forty minutes. With five minutes remaining, Mexico found the breakthrough.  Javier Hernandez chipped a pass inside the Panamanian box to Oribe Peralta.  Peralta was able to get off a clean strike that resulted in the first goal for Mexico.  The hosts took the 1-0 lead with them into their locker room.

Javier Aquino drew a penalty kick for Mexico when Harold Cummings grazed his back.  Hernandez hit a weak penalty kick straight down the middle that was easily saved by Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.  With ten minutes to go, Panama scored the equalizer that looked like it would put them in control of fourth place.  Gabriel Torres hit a chest-high through ball to Luis Tejada, who managed to settled the ball behind the back line before scoring the equalizer.  Jorge Torres Nilo was guilty of not stepping up to force the offside on the play.  Mexico snatched an unbelievable winner five minutes of time from a wonder goal by Raul Jimenez.  With his back to goal, Jimenez flung himself backward and performed a bicycle kick to perfection that went in off the post.  The goal was certainly the most important and the most spectacular of Mexico's qualifying campaign to date.  Mexico win 2-1 and need only a tie in four days' time in Costa Rica to guarantee a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.

USA 19 pts IN
Costa Rica 15 pts IN
Honduras 14 pts +1
Mexico 11 pts -1
Panama 8 pts -3
Jamaica OUT

Goals
Mexico
Oribe Peralta 40
Raul Jimenez 85

Panama
Luis Tejada 81

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1580882/raul-jimenez-bicycle-kick-gives-mexico-win-panama?cc=5901
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4829910/mexico-panama-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn9ORytuAKk

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4iGc3gBvxk (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg725Or9HiM (2nd half)

United States of America 2 - Jamaica 0

United States of America played their final home qualifier today in Kansas City against visiting Jamaica.  An early free kick from Demar Phillips nearly made its way into the American goal, but American right back Brad Evans was able to clear the ball off the line under pressure.  Wes Morgan saved a goal for Jamaica with a sliding block on a shot by Demarcus Beasley.  The first half was rather subdued, and it ended 0-0.

The match had been dormant for around an hour before the teams woke up in the final half hour of play.  A couple of half chances went begging on either side of the pitch.  With a dozen minutes to go, Jozy Altidore drew a foul on the edge of the box.  The referee played advantage, and the Yanks took their chance.  Graham Zusi pushed wide for Alejandro Bedoya.  Bedoya took a couple touches and then rolled a pass to Zusi, whose one-time shot became the first goal of the match.  A couple minutes later, Jamaica goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr made a kick save from a Sasha Klejstan shot, the result of a Zusi cross.  The next minute saw left back Phillips scuff a clearance while incurring an injury.  The ball flew sideways and fell for Edgar Castillo.  Castillo laid a roller across the box to Altidore, who tapped into the empty net to make it 2-0.  United States goalkeeper Tim Howard had to make a save off a belted shot from Theo Robinson in stoppage time to preserve the shutout.  United States win 2-0.  As a result, Jamaica are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  The Yanks clinch first place in CONCACAF with the victory.

Goals
United States of America
Graham Zusi 77
Jozy Altidore 80

Match Reports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/united-states-2-0-jamaica-world-cup-qualifier-understudies-fail-to-make-impression-in-win-101113
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/usnationalteam/id/797?cc=5901

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeHeG05k-V4

Honduras 1 - Costa Rica 0

Honduras were hoping their home match against Costa Rica in San Pedro Sula would provide them with three points.  Honduras were effective at getting into the attacking third during the first half but not so effective at creating good shots at goal.  In fact, an Alvaro Saborio header from a Tico corner was the best chance of the first half.  No goals were scored in a 0-0 first half.

Honduras remained the better team coming out of their locker rooms.  It took until twenty minutes had gone by, but finally they had their breakthrough.  A soft through ball from Roger Espinoza found Jerry Bengston (pictured, white #11) open in space in the Costa Rican box.  Bengston coolly slotted to the far corner for the opening goal.  Costa Rica were forced to finally search for some offense, but truthfully they did not seem very motivated to perform this afternoon.  Honduras win 1-0 and clinch at worst a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.

Goals
Honduras
Jerry Bengston 64

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2194829/
http://www.soccerway.com/news/2013/October/12/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-honduras-1-costa-rica-0/n241968/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmKuQj3ZkBs

Match Schedule: October 2013

October 2013 will be the month that most clears up the qualification picture for Brasil 2014.  Africa will feature only five matches, but these are all the first legs of two-legged playoff series.  South America goes through its final two matchdays.  Three more teams will qualify directly to Brasil this month from the home continent, but only one team will be eliminated.  Seven teams will qualify from Europe this month while fourteen more will be eliminated, including one very unlucky second-place finisher.  North America will send one final contender into the finals this month while seeing two of its teams getting the boot.  An additional ten teams worldwide will be booking their arrangements for do-or-die playoff series in November.

All times are given in Central Time (GMT-5).

11 October 2013
Bulgaria at Armenia 10:00 Yerevan
Northern Ireland at Azerbaijan 11:00 Baku
San Marino at Moldova 11:00 Chisinau
Belgium at Croatia 11:00 Zagreb
Kazakhstan at Faroe Islands 12:00 Torshavn
Latvia at Lithuania 12:30 Vilnius
Czech Republic at Malta 12:30 Ta'Qali
Poland at Ukraine 13:00 Kharkiv
Liechtenstein at Bosnia and Herzegovina 13:00 Zenica
Italy at Denmark 13:15 Copenhagen
Turkey at Estonia 13:30 Tallinn
Switzerland at Albania 13:30 Tirana
Russia at Luxembourg 13:30 Luxembourg
Hungary at Netherlands 13:30 Amsterdam
Romania at Andorra 13:30 Andorra la Vella
Slovakia at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Norway at Slovenia 13:45 Maribor
Ireland at Germany 13:45 Cologne
Austria at Sweden 13:45 Solna
Macedonia at Wales 13:45 Cardiff
Cyprus at Iceland 13:45 Reykjavik
Montenegro at England 14:00 London
Israel at Portugal 14:45 Lisbon
Belarus at Spain 15:00 Palma
Paraguay at Venezuela 16:00 San Cristobal
Chile at Colombia 16:00 Barranquilla
Uruguay at Ecuador 16:00 Quito
Costa Rica at Honduras 16:00 San Pedro Sula
Jamaica at United States of America 17:36 Kansas City
Peru at Argentina 18:00 Buenos Aires
Panama at Mexico 20:30 Mexico City

12 October 2013
Algeria at Burkina Faso 11:00 Ouagadougou
Senegal at Cote d'Ivoire 12:00 Abidjan

13 October 2013
Nigeria at Ethiopia 8:00 Addis Ababa
Cameroon at Tunisia 12:00 Rades

15 October 2013
Albania at Cyprus 11:00 Nicosia
Egypt at Ghana 11:00 Kumasi
Russia at Azerbaijan 12:00 Baku
Northern Ireland at Israel 12:00 Ramat Gan
Liechtenstein at Greece 12:00 Piraeus
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Lithuania 12:00 Kaunas
Luxembourg at Portugal 12:00 Coimbra
Netherlands at Turkey 13:00 Istanbul
Estonia at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Andorra at Hungary 13:00 Budapest
Slovenia at Switzerland 13:00 Bern
Iceland at Norway 13:00 Oslo
Slovakia at Latvia 13:10 Riga
Czech Republic at Bulgaria 13:15 Sofia
Malta at Denmark 13:15 Copenhagen
Macedonia at Serbia 13:30 Jagodina
Armenia at Italy 13:45 Naples
Germany at Sweden 13:45 Solna
Austria at Faroe Islands 13:45 Torshavn
Kazakhstan at Ireland 13:45 Dublin
Moldova at Montenegro 14:00 Podgorica
Ukraine at San Marino 14:00 Serravalle
Wales at Belgium 14:00 Brussels
Finland at France 14:00 Saint-Denis
Georgia at Spain 14:00 Albacete
Poland at England 14:00 London
Croatia at Scotland 14:00 Glasgow
Argentina at Uruguay 18:30 Montevideo
Colombia at Paraguay 18:30 Asuncion
Ecuador at Chile 18:30 Santiago
Honduras at Jamaica 20:30 Kingston
United States of America at Panama 20:30 Panama City
Mexico at Costa Rica 20:30 San Jose
Bolivia at Peru 21:15 Lima

Panama 2 - Honduras 2

Tegucigalpa was the site for the second successive home qualifier for Honduras.  Panama may have been unhappy with the venue change, having won in San Pedro Sula during the previous round of qualifying.  Panama were the brighter team early on, but Honduras caught them on the counter.  Brayan Beckeles hit a cross too close to Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, but Penedo let the ball through his hands, and Carlo Costly (pictured, white) was there to tap in for the goal.  The Catrachos led 1-0 at halftime.

Panama scored what could easily be deemed the best goal of the entire tournament to equalize.  Jairo Jimenez moseyed up the left side of the pitch.  His cross was well short of the near post, but wonderman Gabriel Torres flicked the ball inside-out with his right foot swinging over the head of Victor Bernardez.  Somehow, Torres got the ball to dip up and over a well-positioned goalkeeper for the best goal of the night.  On any other night, Wilson Palacios's goal would have been the goal of the night.  He took a heavy pass from Roger Espinoza and killed it in the Panama box.  Then, Palacios nutmegged Felipe Baloy without any momentum going forward before finishing in the space which he had created for himself, giving Honduras a 2-1 lead.  Panama were desperately pressing for the equalizer.  Alcibiades Rojas played a perfect ball for Blas Perez to head goalward, but Perez missed from close range.  Later Amilcar Henriquez hit a bouncer from a Perez header back upfield from the end line that just failed to dip under the crossbar.  Just when it seemed the comeback bid would fall short, Panama struck again.  A Luis Henriquez cross was ever so slightly brushed by the foot of Perez, but the ball hit the shin of an onrushing Panama centerback Roberto Chen (pictured, red) and flew into the net to even the score.  Panama and Honduras tie 2-2.  With the results of tonight's three matches in CONCACAF qualifying, both the United States of America and Costa Rica have clinched spots at Brasil 2014.

USA 16 pts IN
Costa Rica 15 pts IN
Honduras 11 pts 0
Panama 8 pts -2
Mexico 8 pts -2
Jamaica 3 pts -6

Goals
Honduras
Carlo Costly 27
Wilson Palacios 61

Panama
Gabriel Torres 50
Roberto Chen 90

Match Reports:
http://www.7msport.com/video/20130912/6324.shtml

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES69fH23UxU

United States of America 2 - Mexico 0

Columbus was the site of the United States of America's home match against Mexico for the fourth straight time in the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying.  The past three matches all went 2-0 to the Yanks.  The United States nearly suffered an own goal as a cross ricocheted off the plant leg of Demarcus Beasley, but the ball went straight to the goalkeeper.  Argentina-born naturalized Mexican forward Christian Gimenez was the danger man on this night for El Tri, and he nearly tucked a short, angled free kick into the goal.  The Yanks almost scored off a corner when Eddie Johnson rose above Gimenez to power a header downward, but the ball was scooped up by Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona (pictured, red).  With two minutes to go, Giovani Dos Santos struck a speedy knuckler, but United States netminder Tim Howard dove and plucked it out of the air.  The teams were level at 0-0 going into the break.

The Americans worked magic on a corner kick five minutes into the new half.  Johnson snuck behind his original markers and then rose above and in front of Diego Reyes.  Corona had for some unknown reason rushed out to punch the ball while allowing both Johnson and Reyes to be nearer to the ball.  Johnson's header found the empty net for the opener.  With a dozen minutes to go, injury substitute Mix Diskerud in the American midfield made a brilliant chipped flick to himself to evade a defender and roll out to the right flank.  He pass rolled right along the face of the six-yard box, beating all the defenders and allowing Landon Donovan (pictured, white #10) to side foot the ball away for the second goal.  Clint Dempsey (pictured, white, sitting) was brought down in the penalty area by Jesus Zavala in stoppage time, giving the Americans a chance to add on.  However, Dempsey shanked the penalty kick as time expired in stoppage time, giving the United States a fourth straight home victory over Mexico in Columbus in qualifying by the same scoreline every time.  United States win 2-0 and will qualify for Brasil 2014 if Panama fail to win at Honduras later tonight.

Goals
United States of America
Eddie Johnson 50
Landon Donovan 78

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1549673/us-blanks-mexico-move-closer-wcup?cc=5901
http://soccer.si.com/2013/09/10/usa-mexico-dos-a-cero/?sct=hp_t2_a1&eref=sihp
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/public/2013/09/10/u.s.-mexico.html
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/usnationalteam/id/646?cc=5901
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/10/4717196/usa-vs-mexico-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fc7Phg7sec

Jamaica 1 - Costa Rica 1

Costa Rica made the trip to the Office in Kingston to take on local boyz Jamaica.  In the first half, both teams have various chances, though Jamaica were the only team to take any shots from inside the box.  At the tail end of the half, Costa Rica began to control the game.  However, the first half ended without having seen a goal.

The match calmed down significantly for thirty minutes only an errant pass from Jamaica goalkeeper Richard McCallum was picked up by Randall Brenes.  McCallum doubled his trouble by failing to keep a soft Brenes shot out at his near post, so the Ticos were up 1-0.  The calls for Jermaine "Tuffy" Anderson to play for the Reggae Boyz have been incessant ever since he became the top scorer in the Jamaican league, and finally he got his chance tonight, coming on midway through the second half.  In stoppage time, Jamaica centerback Jermaine Taylor lofted a ball over the top from midfield.  Anderson outsprinted Michael Umaña to the quickly dipping ball.  Anderson's outstretched foot sent the ball rolling slowly into the far side of the goal, tying the match in the dying moments.  The 1-1 draw delays Costa Rica's qualification party for the time being, but if both Mexico and Panama fail to win later tonight then Costa Rica qualify anyway.

Goals
Costa Rica
Randall Brenes 75

Jamaica
Jermaine Anderson 90+2

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130911/sports/sports1.html
http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Football/2013/09/11/Costa-Rica-close-to-qualification-despite-late-equaliser.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxVcyPOzJhE

Costa Rica 3 - United States of America 1

San Jose was the site of the visit of the United States of America to Costa Rica.  Whoever won tonight would go top of the CONCACAF table.  The United States lost midfielder Michael Bradley to an ankle injury during warmups.  Costa Rica were dominant on the left side of their attack all night long as they tore through American right back Michael Orozco.  The Ticos made their intentions clear from the opening minute, as Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz (pictured, red) linked up to get a nice shot on goal.  The resulting corner kick from Campbell was headed in at the near post by Johnny Acosta for a 1-0 lead to Costa Rica.  Just seven minutes later, the Americans hemorrhaged a second goal.  Cristian Bolaños burst down the right side of the American defense, dragging a centerback wide to meet him.  With space into which to cross, Bolaños did, finding Celso Borges for a scoring header.  Orozco made a sliding block to prevent Bolaños from getting a clear shot at a third goal for the Ticos.  Geoff Cameron won a ball in the Costa Rican area and made a zipping pass across to Fabian Johnson, whose wicked shot was somehow misdirected off frame by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.  A quick restart from Graham Zusi chipped ball put Johnson in on goal, but he was chopped down by Navas in the box before getting a shot off.  The Yanks converted the penalty kick and were down only 2-1 at the break.

Landon Donovan began finding space for the American attack.  His ball from the left flank was cut in to Clint Dempsey.  Dempsey's effort from just beyond the half circle evaded Navas but not the post.  The Americans looked sure to equalize, but it was a perfect counterattack that did them in tonight.  A booming clearance found Campbell in space with Matt Besler (pictured, blue) on his right shoulder.  Besler was stride for stride with Campbell, but his goalkeeper Tim Howard did not come out to provide assistance, so Campbell was able to create a simple finish for a 3-1 lead.  The Americans could not come back from such a deep hole.  Costa Rica win 3-1 and jump into the lead in the chase for Brasil 2014.

Costa Rica 14 pts +6
USA 13 pts +2
Honduras 10 pts 0
Mexico 8 pts 0
Panama 7 pts -2
Jamaica 3 pts -6

Goals
Costa Rica
Johnny Acosta 3
Celso Borges 10
Joel Campbell 76

United States of America
Clint Dempsey 43 PK

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/usnationalteam/id/561?cc=5901
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130907/u-s-costa-rica-three-thoughts/?sct=hp_t11_a0&eref=sihp

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VSZxj7tayE

Jamaica 0 - Panama 0

Panama City and Panama were paid a visit by struggling Jamaica.  The pitch was soggy but still in good condition.  A Roman Torres side volley effort of a Panamanian corner was the best of the half, but Shaun Cummings kneed the ball off the line at the near post.  The half ended 0-0.

Rudolph Austin was sent off for Jamaica for his second booking in minute 58, giving the hosts a half hour to shake off the cobwebs and liven up in attack.  Panama almost scored a fluke goal as a high bouncing ball resulting from a blocked shot nearly snuck in, but O'Brian Woodbine (pictured, yellow) sacrificed his body to clear for a corner as he slid legs open into the post.  Panama could not make their numerical superiority count.  The teams split the spoils 0-0.

Match Reports:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Brave-Boyz-hold-Panama

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYE0-j3mreE

Honduras 2 - Mexico 1

Mexico City and Mexico were trying to shake their home woes with Honduras in town.  Mexico were fantastic early, and they opened the match by passing the ball around for over a minute straight.  The pay off came when Giovanni Dos Santos broke free down the left flank and burst into the box.  Dos Santos slotted across to Oribe Peralta, how squared the ball into the Honduran net to give Mexico a 1-0 lead at home against a team that had yet to score on the road in the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  Mexico were far superior in the first half, but seemed complacent toward the end of the period with their slim lead.  Mexico took the 1-0 lead with them into their locker room.

Honduras threw caution to the wind and brought on a second forward for the second half.  The dividends were realized not quite twenty minutes into the second half.  Carlo Costly (pictured, white) won the second ball off a clearance header while inside the Mexican penalty area.  Costly turned and fired.  His effort was thrust forward by Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona, but Honduras substitute forward Jerry Bengston was well placed to push home the rebound.  Two minutes later, Honduras had a shock lead.  A long ball played forward was misplayed by Mexico centerback Diego Reyes, so Costly latched on and drove into the box, from where his shot low and to the far side netting was good.  Roger Espinoza worked hard to drive through the Mexican defense only to see his slotted pass to Bengston fail to produce a goal when Bengston missed the tap-in on the empty net.  Honduras were not made to pay, however, and they held on to their slim lead through the final whistle.  Honduras win 2-1 in Mexico, Mexico's first qualifying loss at home since 16 June 2001.

Goals
Honduras
Jerry Bengston 64
Carlo Costly 66

Mexico
Oribe Peralta 6

Match Reports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/mexico-1-2-honduras-match-report-jerry-bengston-carlo-costly-090713
http://www.goal.com/en/match/97769/mexico-vs-honduras/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk9WgrxIwIg

Match Schedule: September 2013

September 2013 marks the beginning of the home stretch for qualifying for Brasil 2014.  Asia will feature one elimination with the playoff between Uzbekistan and Jordan taking place.  Africa will feature nine eliminations and seven teams advancing into round three.  South America could very well see Argentina qualify and both Paraguay and Bolivia given the boot.  Europe is sure to see at least nine eliminations of its own with a group leader or two clinching an early berth.  Even North America could witness some clarity with Jamaica teetering on the verge of elimination and the United States of America close to booking flights to Brasil next summer.

All times are given in Central Time (GMT-5).

6 September 2013
Faroe Islands at Kazakhstan 10:00 Astana
Luxembourg at Russia 10:30 Kazan
Uzbekistan at Jordan 11:00 Amman
Armenia at Czech Republic 11:00 Prague
Zambia at Ghana 11:00 Kumasi
Cyprus at Norway 12:00 Oslo
Andorra at Turkey 13:00 Kayseri
San Marino at Ukraine 13:00 Lviv
Hungary at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Wales at Macedonia 13:00 Skopje
Denmark at Malta 13:00 Ta' Qali
Lithuania at Latvia 13:10 Riga
France at Georgia 13:15 Tbilisi
Slovakia at Bosnia and Herzegovina 13:15 Zenica
Spain at Finland 13:30 Helsinki
Netherlands at Estonia 13:30 Tallinn
Albania at Slovenia 13:30 Ljubljana
Iceland at Switzerland 13:30 Bern
Croatia at Serbia 13:45 Belgrade
Montenegro at Poland 13:45 Warsaw
Greece at Liechtenstein 13:45 Vaduz
Bulgaria at Italy 13:45 Palermo
Austria at Germany 13:45 Munich
Portugal at Northern Ireland 13:45 Belfast
Sweden at Ireland 13:45 Dublin
Moldova at England 14:00 London
Belgium at Scotland 14:00 Glasgow
Ecuador at Colombia 15:30 Barranquilla
Bolivia at Paraguay 17:30 Asuncion
Venezuela at Chile 19:30 Santiago
Honduras at Mexico 20:30 Mexico City
United States of America at Costa Rica 21:00 San Jose
Jamaica at Panama 21:00 Panama City
Uruguay at Peru 21:30 Lima

7 September 2013
Botswana at South Africa 8:30 Durban
Ethiopia at Central African Republic 8:30 Brazzaville, Congo
Liberia at Angola 10:00 Lubango
Malawi at Nigeria 10:00 Calabar
Congo at Niger 10:30 Niamey
Gabon at Burkina Faso 10:30 Ouagadougou
Equatorial Guinea at Sierra Leone 11:30 Freetown
Tanzania at Gambia 11:30 Bakau
Morocco at Cote d'Ivoire 12:00 Abidjan
Azerbaijan at Israel 12:45 Ramat Gan
Cape Verde at Tunisia 13:45 Rades
Uganda at Senegal 14:00 Marrakesh, Morocco

8 September 2013
Mozambique at Zimbabwe 8:00 Harare
Namibia at Kenya 8:00 Nairobi
Libya at Cameroon 9:30 Yaounde
Rwanda at Benin 10:00 Porto-Novo
Democratic Republic of Congo at Togo 10:30 Lome
Lesotho at Sudan 12:00 Omdurman

10 September 2013
Jordan at Uzbekistan 9:00 Tashkent
Guinea at Egypt 9:00 El-Gouna
Israel at Russia 10:00 Saint Petersburg
Liechtenstein at Lithuania 10:30 Marijampole
Sweden at Kazakhstan 11:00 Astana
Denmark at Armenia 11:00 Yerevan
Finland at Georgia 12:00 Tbilisi
Switzerland at Norway 12:00 Oslo
Turkey at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Bulgaria at Malta 13:00 Ta' Qali
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Slovakia 13:15 Zilina
Northern Ireland at Luxembourg 13:15 Luxembourg
Slovenia at Cyprus 13:30 Nicosia
Scotland at Macedonia 13:30 Skopje
Estonia at Hungary 13:30 Budapest
Netherlands at Andorra 13:30 Andorra la Vella
England at Ukraine 13:45 Kyiv
Latvia at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Ireland at Austria 13:45 Vienna
Czech Republic at Italy 13:45 Turin
Poland at San Marino 13:45 Serravalle
Germany at Faroe Islands 13:45 Torshavn
Serbia at Wales 13:45 Cardiff
France at Belarus 14:00 Gomel
Albania at Iceland 14:00 Reykjavik
Mali at Algeria 14:30 Blida
Ecuador at Bolivia 15:00 La Paz
Colombia at Uruguay 17:00 Montevideo
Peru at Venezuela 18:55 Puerto La Cruz
Costa Rica at Jamaica 19:00 Kingston
Mexico at United States of America 19:06 Columbus
Panama at Honduras 20:00 Tegucigalpa
Argentina at Paraguay 20:40 Asuncion

Costa Rica 2 - Panama 0

San Jose and a slick, wet pitch was the scene for the final 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier of June 2013.  Costa Rica welcomed neighbors Panama into town for the occasion.  The rain prevented much attacking from taking place in the opening forty-five minutes.  The ball stayed in the midfield for the most part as neither time wished to make the early mistake.  0-0 was the score at the break.

Two minutes into the second half, Costa Rica found themselves with a close free kick.  Brian Ruiz sent in a rolling ball that evaded every player in the Panamanian defense and a near touch from teammate Alvaro Saborio (pictured, red).  The ball went straight into the goal off Ruiz's foot.  The Ticos had the 1-0 lead.  Shortly thereafter, Celso Borges connected with a thirty-two-yard wonder strike slip-and-slide style that was sent on a rope into the upper ninety.  Costa Rica had doubled their lead to two goals.  The rest of the match provided little action other than a shoving match after the final whistle.  Costa Rica win 2-0 and move into second place in the CONCACAF table.

USA 13 pts +4
Costa Rica 11 pts +4
Mexico 8 pts +1
Honduras 7 pts -1
Panama 6 pts -2
Jamaica 2 pts -6

Goals
Costa Rica
Bryan Ruiz 47
Celso Borges 51

Match Reports:
http://www.ticotimes.net/More-news/News-Briefs/Costa-Rica-on-path-to-2014-World-Cup-with-2-0-win-over-Panama-_Wednesday-June-19-2013

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4ACZmlp3PU

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj0MwKoeqXg (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Lz3fo6No0 (2nd half)

United States of America 1 - Honduras 0

The United State of America played a second consecutive home qualifier, this time in Sandy against Honduras.  Honduras had to rely on good goalkeeping by Noel Valladares to maintain contact with the United States in the early going.  A Fabian Johnson cross was one-timed by Eddie Johnson, but Valladares was able to dive across his line to parry the ball away for a corner.  Clint Dempsey (pictured, white) had multiple chances to score, but his headers just could not find the target in the first half.  A turnover by American centerback Matt Besler gave Andy Najar a chance to run the ball down the field for a shot, but he directed the ball straight at the goalkeeper.  The half ended as it began, 0-0.

Dempsey got a header on frame ten minutes into the half, but Valladares handled it cleanly off the bounce.  A goalmouth scramble later on led to a Dempsey header with Valladares on the floor, but the hand of Wilson Palacios (pictured, blue) got in the way of the shot without a handball infraction being issued by the referee.  With just over twenty minutes to go, Valladares denied a diving header chance by Dempsey yet again, this time off a nice cross from Graham Zusi.  The Yanks finally found their deserved opener four minutes later.  A soft through ball from Dempsey was ever so slightly pushed on by Zusi to Fabian Johnson on the endline.  Fabian Johnson cut the ball back for Jozy Altidore, who passed the ball into the net for the most delicate goal the powerful Americans may ever score.  The United States hold on and win 1-0 for their third win out of three June qualifiers as they currently top the CONCACAF final round table.

Goals
United States of America
Jozy Altidore 73

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/6/18/4443500/usa-vs-honduras-2013-final-score-world-cup-qualifying
http://americansoccernow.com/articles/united-states-beats-the-bunker-to-defeat-Honduras

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KEGgLok1aY

United States of America 2 - Panama 0

Seattle and its raucous crowd welcomed Panama to a true home-field advantage for the United States of America.  United States were without concussed Jermaine Jones and suspended Graham Zusi.  Panama were without the injured Blas Perez.  Jozy Altidore was taken down in the box by Panama defender Roman Torres, but the correct call for a penalty was not made.  However, the United States did not waste any time sulking and were back at it two minutes later.  Michael Bradley dribbled up the pitch and pushed out wide left for Fabian Johnson, whose one-time pass through the box found an open Jozy Altidore at the back post for the finish.  The Americans took the 1-0 lead into the locker room, but a later surge by Panama made many wonder if the home side would suffer from lack of confidence after the restart.

A quick ball forward from Geoff Cameron after winning a loose ball sprung Eddie Johnson beyond the offside trap of the Canaleros.  Johnson shot around the goalkeeper from thirteen yards to put the Yanks up 2-0.  With ten minutes left in the match, Damarcus Beasley hit the post off a nice lay off from Altidore, saving Panama from further ignominy.  United States goalkeeper Tim Howard came off his line smartly in stoppage time to block a Rolando Blackburn shot and preserve the shutout.  United States win 2-0 and go top of the table in CONCACAF.

USA 10 pts +3
Costa Rica 8 pts +2
Mexico 8 pts +1
Honduras 7 pts 0
Panama 6 pts 0
Jamaica 2 pts -6

Goals
United States of America
Jozy Altidore 36
Eddie Johnson 53

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130612/usa-panama-player-ratings-world-cup-qualifier/?sct=sc_wr_a2
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130612/usa-win-panama-world-cup-qualifier.ap/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbusEx91mXk

Honduras 2 - Jamaica 0

Tegucigalpa and its home support were behind Honduras as last-place Jamaica paid a visit.  Alvas Powell cleared a ball off the line with his head early to spare Jamaica, but the Catrachos had set the tone.  Roger Espinoza received a short corner for Honduras and swung in a cross that was headed back toward where it came by Roger Rojas.  Boniek Garcia (pictured, white) pounced on the ball and put away the opening goal for Honduras ten minutes into the match.  Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was made to parry a low shot by Mario Martinez late in the half. Honduras were up 1-0 going into their locker room.

Ricketts did all he could to keep the flood gates from opening onto the Jamaican goal.  It did not help that defender Adrian Mariappa was sent off for Jamaica due to a second yellow in minute 76.  With two minutes to go, an awful pass intended for Ricketts was played by Daniel Gordon.  Rojas easily picked off the pass and touched around Ricketts before rolling the ball softly into the empty net.  Honduras win 2-0.

Goals
Honduras
Boniek Garcia 10
Roger Rojas 88

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=45654

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfXnwM-F62Y

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv9u7XSKi2s

Costa Rica 0 - Mexico 0

Mexico City and the frustrated fans of Mexico were hoping to finally see a goal at home in the CONCACAF Fourth Round, having witnesses two scoreless ties previously at Estadio Azteca.  Costa Rica would not mind stealing a point or three on the road.  The Ticos nearly snatched an opener after four minutes, but Joel Campbell could only direct his shot onto the far post, allowing the crowd to breath a sigh of relief.  With ten minutes left in the half, Cristian Bolaños knocked down a Brian Ruiz pass with his back to goal, setting Campbell up for a shot.  Mexico goalkeeper Jose Corona made a nice save and continues to be the only reason Mexico are in qualifying position for Brasil 2014.  The first half ended scoreless.

It would take until the second half for Mexico to register their first decent chance.  Carlos Salcido had come up to support in attack, and he stroked a laser toward the upper ninety, but a flying fist from Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas provided the save.  Mexico centerback Francisco Rodriguez made a long-distance recovery run to slide tackle the ball away from Kenny Cunningham with a three-on-three opportunity about to come to fruition.  The match ends 0-0, the third straight scoreless draw at home for Mexico.

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1474479/mexico-fails-score-home-again-goalless-draw?cc=5901
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/97678/mexico-vs-costa-rica/report?

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K2HTJqShLE

Mexico 0 - Panama 0

Panama City and upstarts Panama welcomed Mexico into a sea of red-clad fans.  The first half was controlled by Mexico, but the clearest chance was missed into the side netting by Javier Hernandez after a nice endline pass from Javier Aquino could not quite be turned goalward.  The half ended scoreless.

As he was in their home match against Jamaica, Mexico goalkeeper Jesue Corona was the sole reason Mexico escaped with a point on this occasion.  Corona came to the rescue as a well-designed rolling ball from a corner kick allowed Blas Perez (pictured, red) to run on a curl into open space ten yards from goal.  His strike was low and hard, but Corona's quick drop to his left prevented the goal. Roman Torres made a game-saving tackle inside Panama's box with under five minutes to play as he ran down Aldo de Nigris, who had latched onto a long-distance through ball moments before.  The match ends 0-0 with both teams within touching distance of the top of the table.

Costa Rica 7 pts +2
USA 7 pts +1
Mexico 7 pts +1
Panama 6 pts +2
Honduras 4 pts -2
Jamaica 2 pts -4

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1471563/mexico-struggles-goalless-draw-panama?cc=5901
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/futbolmexico/id/712?cc=5901

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=404UjgEe7hc