Mexico 2 - El Salvador 0; Costa Rica 7 - Guyana 0

Costa Rica greeted Guyana as the paid a visit to San Jose and its artifical playing surface.  Costa Rica needed a win to secure advancement to the final phase of qualifying.  Tico forward Alvaro Saborio scuffed a shot, but the ball rolled into Randall Brenes's path for a finish and an early 1-0 lead.  It would be that kind of night for Guyana.  Four minutes later, Cristian Gamboa sent a wonder strike into the side netting from seventeen yards to give the Ticos a 2-0 lead.  The Ticos led by that same score at the end of the half.

A poor Saborio cross three minutes into the half was flicked on by Guyana defender Charles Pollard, turning it into a perfect header opportunity for Brenes, who converted for 3-0.  Walter Moore sent off for second yellow in minute 50, leaving Guyana with ten men and facing a penalty kick.  Saborio converted for 4-0.  The fifth goal came off an unlucky deflection with the foot of a Guyanese defender block a cross only to put it into his own net.  The sixth goal came off a Guyana clearance that was blocked on the six-yard box and someone went into the roof of the net.  The seventh came when Saborio headed a ball down off a cross that beat the goalkeeper on a bounce.  Saborio missed a penalty kick for his hat trick chance seven minutes from time.  Costa Rica win 7-0 and advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

Torreon was the site for Mexico's final home game of the CONCACAF Third Round as they took on El Salvador.  La Selecta needed to win in Mexico and then hope for a Costa Rica loss, or alternatively they needed a three-goal win in Mexico paired with a Costa Rica draw.  Neither scenario seemed likely, but La Selecta held tough in the first half.  In the only chance of the first period, Mexican attacking midfielder Angel Reyna missed on an open goal to keep the scoreline inert at zero goals apiece at the break.

El Salvador come out of the break knowing that Costa Rica had taken a huge lead and that for all intents and puroposes their tournament would end in forty-five minutes.  The reshuffled Mexico lineup began to find its rhythm in the second frame.  Andres Guardado floated an early chip attempt just wide of goal.  Midway through the period, Oribe Peralta, playing on his club pitch, opened the scoring after a Reyna shot drew a save from goalkeeper Dagoberto Portillo.  Peralta was there to tap home the rebound.  Hector Herrera nearly had a second goal for Mexico, but his shot from twenty yards clanged the crossbar.  With a quarter hour remaining, Portiloo had a flying save to deny Reyna.  However, Mexico killed off the game with five minutes left when an Elias Hernandez cross was kneed home by Javier Hernandez, as he had gotten goal side of center back Steve Purdy to free up space.  Mexico win 2-0.  El Salvador are eliminated from Brasil 2014.

Mexico 18 pts IN
Costa Rica 10 pts IN
El Salvador OUT
Guyana OUT

Goals
Costa Rica
Randall Brenes 10, 48
Cristian Gamboa 14
Alvaro Saborio 51 PK, 76
Cristian Bolaños 60
Celso Borges 71

Mexico
Oribe Peralta 65
Javier Hernandez 85

Match Reports:
http://www.ncnguyana.com/ncntv/costa-rica-demolishes-golden-jaguars-7-0/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1374129-mexico-vs-el-salvador-score-highlights-and-grades
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72590/mexico-vs-el-salvador/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPdDZCCOwKc (Costa Rica v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnwsyA08c28 (Mexico v. El Salvador)

United States of America 3 - Guatemala 1; Jamaica 4 - Antigua and Barbuda 1

Jamaica welcomed Antigua and Barbuda to their office in Kingston with Jamaica praying for a miracle in the other group match to allow them to make up goal differential and move on.  The matches kicked off simultaneously, so Jamaica would have to receive news periodically of the other score knowing that a draw between the United States of America and Guatemala would eliminate them.  However, Jamaica had to worry about winning by enough of a margin to overcome a goal differential deficit should the other match not end in a draw.  A Demar Philipps shot from distance was misjudged by Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James and bounced its way in for Jamaica's opener.  One minute later, Nyron Nosworthy converted off a header from a corner kick.  Jamaica went into halftime up 2-0 and with the knowledge that they were currently even in goal differential with Guatemala for the second spot in Group One.

In the second period, Antigua pulled one back through a twenty-five yard free kick from Quinton Griffith that temporarily had Jamaica eliminated.  With a dozen minutes later in their tournament, however, the Reggae Boyz scored again as a ball dropped off from the end line was sent home by an open Dane Richards.  With two minutes left, Jamaica secured passage to the CONCACAF Fourth Round when a long ball sent from their own half was volleyed on the sprint by Richards as James had come off his line to close the angle.  Jamaica win 4-1 to stay alive in Brasil 2014.

Kansas City was the site of the match between hosts United States of America and visiting Guatemala.  Both teams knew that a draw would be enough to see them safely through to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  There was talk before the match that both teams might play to a gentlemanly draw, but those doing the talking clearly do not remember the bad blood that circulates between these two teams as evidenced by their qualifier in Guatemala for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 20 August 2008.  Gustavo Cabrera elbowed Eddie Lewis in the head, knocking Lewis out of the American national team picture and earning a red in the process.  In that same game, Carlos Ruiz took the liberty to intentionally kick goalkeeper Tim Howard in the face, so needless to say, the United States were not looking to help Guatemala achieve any of their goals on this night.

With all the background in this match now listed, it is on to the matchup itself.  Ruiz made himself the bane of the Americans yet again, but this time he did so by scoring a goal in the fifth minute of play.  A long, long ball went over the heads of four American defenders as Ruiz latched onto the ball.  He came head-to-head against Howard and then coolly dribbling around Howard as the goalkeeper went to ground before tapping home with the outside of his foot to give Los Chapines a 1-0 lead.   The early goal seemed to wake the Americans from their slumber.  Center back Carlos Bocanegra, who was hopelessly trailing Ruiz on the goal, redeemed himself five minutes later.  A Graham Zusi corner kick was headed from the near post by Clint Dempsey (pictured, red and white) across the box to two Americans who had lost their markers.  Bocanegra got to the ball to tap in for the equalizer.  Eight minutes later, Eddie Johnson was operating up the right flank when he slotted a slow rolling cross that somehow evaded all the Chapines in the area and came to Dempsey's feet for a side-foot sliding finish and a 2-1 lead.  The Americans did not let up, and their third goal came not quite twenty minutes after their second.  Midfielder Michael Bradley had received the ball on the run and chipped the oncoming goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez.  Dempsey continued his run to knock the ball into the net, making sure that the chip did not hit the post or go wide.  The United States led 3-1 at halftime.

Guatemala were out of answers offensively, so their best hope in the second half was for Antigua to close the gap so that they could advance on goal differential.  Jerez saved Dempsey's hat trick bid five minutes into the second half.  With twenty minutes left, it appeared the referee had saved Guatemala's tournament by not calling a penalty when Ruiz chopped Bradley in the penalty area.  However, with the late turnaround in Kingston and the 3-1 win for the United States, Guatemala have been eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

USA 13 pts IN
Jamaica 10 pts +3 IN
Guatemala 10 pts +1 OUT
Antigua OUT

Goals
Jamaica
Demar Philipps 16
Nyron Nosworthy 17
Dane Richards 78, 88

Antigua and Barbuda
Quinton Griffith 61

United States of America
Carlos Bocanegra 10
Clint Dempsey 18, 36

Guatemala
Carlos Ruiz 5

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121019/cleisure/cleisure4.html
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121017/sports/sports1.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/10/16/united-states-guatemala-world-cup-qualifier.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/16/3870550/us-prevails-over-guatemala-in.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqZGO2zvC4E (Jamaica v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzUCgSHmOhU&noredirect=1 (USA v. Guatemala)

Honduras 8 - Canada 1; Cuba 1 - Panama 1

Havana was the site of Cuba's final match of Brasil 2014 as their campaign ended at home against group leaders Panama.  Panama needed a draw to guarantee themselves a berth in the next phase of qualifying.  Cuba had yet to register a goal or a point during the campaign, but they found their first goal with seven minutes left in the half as a cross came in over the heads of two Panama defenders, leaving Alberto Gomez to take one touch at the penalty spot and then finish for an unexpected 1-0 halftime lead for Cuba.

Panama, who under normal circumstances would be under intense pressure to equalize, knew of the scoreline of the other match and were able to relax, and the lack of urgency was apparent.  Panama did manage a lucky goal as a Nelson Barahona cross flew over the head of a teammate and a defender and then bounced over another teammate and his defender to nestle itself into the upper ninety for the equalizer.  Panama went on to tie the match 1-1 to advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

The simultaneously starts (and Cuba's propensity to avoid night matches at home) necessitated that the crucial Honduras home match against Canada in San Pedro Sula take place in the early afternoon in sweltering heat.  The men of the Great White North needed a draw to advance and eliminate Honduras, but they melted under a combination of the heat and the pressure.  The most anticipated qualifier of the day turned into one of the all-time maulings.  The Canadian back four were an absolute disgrace to the game of football and will be named in the hopes that they are embarrassed and shamed into performing better in the future: Left back Mike Klukowski (pictured, red #3), captain and center back Kevin McKenna (pictured, red, back to camera), center back Andre Hainault (pictured, red #5), and right back David Edgar.  Jerry Bengston notched two goals in the first sixteen minutes to send Honduras on their way to the next phase of qualifying; Honduras needed a win to advance.  Carlo Costly scored his first and headed from a Bengston header to the back post.  3-0 was insufficient for one half, so Mario Martinez added the fourth after nutmegging Hainault to send Honduras comfortably up 4-0 into the break.

The avalanche of goals continued into the second half with Costly getting his second for 5-0.  Martinez finished his personal tally with a nice finish from outside the penalty area, putting Honduras up 6-0 after one hour of play.  Canada substitute Iain Hume surprisingly had the goal of the match off a free kick to make it 6-1.  Bengston then finished his hat trick after turning and spinning and leaving Hainault on the ground in his wake.  Costly finished a hat trick of his own with two minutes to go to give Honduras an 8-1 victory that eliminated Canada from Brasil 2014.  Canada coach Stephen Hart resigned in the wake of the disaster.  It is hard to believe that these were the same Canucks who should have defeated Honduras at home in what ended up being a scoreless draw in June.

Honduras 11 pts +9 IN
Panama 11 pts +4 IN
Canada OUT
Cuba OUT

Goals
Cuba
Alberto Gomez 38

Panama
Nelson Barahona 76

Honduras
Jerry Bengston 7, 16, 82
Carlo Costly 28, 48, 88
Mario Martinez 32, 59

Canada
Iain Hume 76

Match Reports:
http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2012/10/18/36387/panama_draws_with_cuba_late_advances.html
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2012/10/16/sp-canada-honduras-world-cup-qualifying.html
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72601/honduras-vs-canada/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXZcwa-LWqU (Cuba v. Panama)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqwlX3ySlQU (Honduras v. Canada)

Honduras 0 - Panama 0; Canada 3 - Cuba 0

Canada welcomed short-handed Cuba to Toronto.  Cuba showed up to the match with only eleven players as one player was ill and another three had escaped from the team hotel in order to defect to the United States.  Canada were in no position in the standings to show mercy to the Cubans even though their visitors were without substitutes; Canada needed a win to keep on track for Brasil 2014.  Canada were battering the Cuban goalmouth from the opening whistle, but three chances went begging early.  Simeon Jackson played a ball up to Ante Jazic that led to a slotted ball across the box.  Tosaint Ricketts found the ball in space and fired home for 1-0 to Canada.  Cuba goalkeeper Odelin Molina made a fine save off a close-range header to keep his team within touching distance.  The half finished 1-0 to the Canucks.

Julian de Guzman created a turnover in the Cuban defensive zone and worked his way in for a shot, but Molina was up to the task yet again, this time with a kick save.  In minute 70, Roberto Linares was sent off for a rash tackle against Andre Hainault, leaving Cuba to cope with ten men.  Will Johnson headed Canada's second goal home after a monster deflection left a jump ball up for grabs on Cuba's goal line with no Molina in site.  In the ensuing celebration, Olivier Occean was given a straight red for shoving Molina in the net as Canada tried to grab the ball the hasten the ensuing kickoff.  The final seventeen minutes plus were played ten versus ten.  Five minutes later, a Jazic cross was met on a volley by the outside of David Edgar's foot, leading to a screamer for Canada's third goal.  Canada win 3-0 and need only a draw on the road in Honduras to advance to the final six in CONCACAF.

Panama City was the site as Panama and La Marea Roja welcomed Los Catrachos of Honduras.  Panama knew that a win at home would seal their progression to the next phase of qualifying.  Armando Cooper had a golden opportunity to put Panama ahead but he let Honduras off the hook as he beat the goalkeeper but not the post on his through-ball induced breakaway.  Honduras came back with two close calls, but neither required a save to be made.  Cooper came right back and forced Donis Escober (pictured, yellow) in the Honduran goal to saved on the stretch, and the resulting rebound came too quickly for Blas Perez (pictured, red) to put the ball back on target.  The half ended poised precariously at 0-0.

Luis Tejada jumped onto the offensive in the first minute of play upon resumption, but Escober was so well placed that he had to use his hands to save his face from taking the brunt of the shot.  Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo was called into action to save at the lower corner of his goal when a turn-and-shoot from twenty yards by Carlo Costly was sent with pace at his goal.  Boniek Garcia had another chance for Los Catrachos one minute later, but this time Penedo went airborne to knock the ball to safety.  Victor Bernandez took a short angled free kick from nineteen yards, but his rocket sailed just over the crossbar.  Panama held on for dear life and the result is a 0-0 draw.

Panama 10 pts +4
Canada 10 pts +3
Honduras 8 pts +2
Cuba OUT

Goals
Canada
Tosaint Ricketts 14
Will Johnson 73
David Edgar 79

News Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/10/13/missing-cubans.ap/index.html?eref=sircrc

Match Reports:
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1270979--world-cup-soccer-cuba-faces-canada-with-no-subs-in-qualifying
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/canada-beats-undermanned-cuba-3-0-in-world-cup-qualifying/2012/10/12/1a2aafda-14d9-11e2-9a39-1f5a7f6fe945_story.html
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Canada+final+World+qualifying+game+Honduras/7387071/story.html
http://fepafut.com/noticias_detail.asp?id=3095

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrIMpvJCRCY (Canada v. Cuba)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKtJZRuxzP0 (Honduras v. Panama)

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)

Costa Rica 1 - El Salvador 0; Mexico 5 - Guyana 0

Houston, United States of America was the nominal home for Guyana as they faced Mexico, though the majority of the fans in attendance were supporting Mexico.  They had much to cheer, beginning with an early penalty earned by striker Javier Hernandez as he was tripped by the goalkeeper's hand.  However, Hernandez sent his penalty kick into the crossbar, so the opener decided to be fashionably late.  Mexico winger Javier Aquino beat his men down the field on a delayed break, but his wonderful chip found the far post and rebounded away for an easy clearance.  With only a dozen minutes left in the half, it appeared Mexico would pay for their lack of finishing.  Mr. Richardson stripped Francisco Rodriguez up Mexico's right flank and proceeded unimpeded into the box, where his shot was saved by the knee of Mexico goalkeeper Javier Orozco.  On the ensuing corner kick, the ball fell for Charles Pollard in the box, but his shot sailed high over the bar.  The Guyana goal continued its charmed existence as the crossbar turned away a one bounce volley from Israel Jimenez.  The half finished as it began, 0-0.

Derrick Carter in the Guyanese goal was having a great afternoon as it was, but he smothered a free header from Hector Moreno off an early second-half corner kick, and surely Guyana must have thought that today would be their day.  Guyana's Walter Moore made a diving block of an Oribe Peralta shot a dozen minutes in, and Mexico's frustration must have been impossible to contain any further.  With thirteen minutes left to play, Jamaal Smith blocked a Hernandez shot, but a well-timed strike by Andrew Guardado off a loose ball soon thereafter finally breached the Guyanese goal for a 1-0 lead to Mexico.  Two minutes later, an Angel Reyna through ball put Hernandez one-on-one with an onrushing Carter, so Hernandez slotted to Peralta in open space for the easy finish for 2-0.  An own goal made it three goals in six minutes to Mexico.  Hernandez finally got his goal on a Guardado cross and suddenly it was 4-0 nine minutes after it had been 0-0.  One minute later, Reyna scored the best goal of Mexico's bunch from just beyond the half circle, giving Mexico their fifth of the night and Reyna his first ever for the national team.  Carter stopped a one-on-one with Hernandez, but he must really have wondered what happened to his defense in the final minutes of the match.  The final scoreline was rather harsh to a Guyana side that went stride for side with the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions for the first seventy-five minutes, but football is not about scorelines that reflect the story; it is about goals scored.  Mexico win 5-0 and maintain their perfect record on route to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  With the loss, Guyana are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

San Salvador was the site for the most important CONCACAF qualifier of the day as the hosts El Salvador would eliminate Costa Rica with a win but would be all but eliminated with anything short of three points.  On the half hour mark, Costa Rica forward Alvaro Saborio made a great effort to save a ball off the end line with his head, and, after a touch from Cristian Bolaños, Jose Cubero had a running start onto the ball.  Cubero placed his shot beautifully, tucking it into the corner by the far post and giving the visiting Ticos a 1-0 lead.  Costa Rica had all the scoring chances in the half but only lead 1-0 at the break.

Costa Rica nearly doubled their lead just after the hour mark, but the one-on-one opportunity of Randall Brenes was saved by the foot of an onrushing Dagoberto Portillo in the El Salvador goal.  Portillo made another kick save to preserve hopes for El Salvador, but the offense never got going.  With three minutes left in regulation, Eliseo Quintanilla went crazy, elbowing Tico defender Michael Umaña in the face and then shoving another Tico in the eyes as he came to accost Quintanilla.  The straight red all but ended El Salvador's hopes of reaching Brasil 2014.  Alfredo Pacheco got his own red card one minute into stoppage time as he viciously slapped the back of Bolaños's neck and then stepped on him as he walked away from the play.  El Salvador finished with nine men and with little hope of advaning to the CONCACAF Fourth Round after Costa Rica defeat them 1-0.

Mexico 15 pts IN
Costa Rica 7 pts +2
El Salvador 5 pts -1
Guyana OUT

Goals
Mexico
Andres Guardado 77
Oribe Peralta 79
Charles Pollard 83 OG
Javier Hernandez 84
Angel Reyna 86

Costa Rica
Jose Cubero 31

Match Reports:
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/10/12/guardado-peralta-score-late-to-help-mexico-rout-guyana-5-0-in-neutral-site-wc/
http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Mexico-explodes-in-second-half-beats-Guyana-5-0-3944542.php
http://futbol.univision.com/centroamerica/costa-rica/article/2012-10-13/aplauden-costa-rica-que-la-victoria-en-el-salvador#axzz29F5ovnce

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APHqcDynJK8 (Mexico v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ur6TUbTyT6s (Costa Rica v. El Salvador)

Preview: Columbus Day 2012 New World

CONCACAF Third Round Matchday Five sees what is essentially a winner-take-all matchup in Group Two  when Costa Rica play at El Salvador.  A win for El Salvador and they advance to the Fourth Round.  A win or tie by Costa Rica and the odds fall in their favor as they would need only to beat Guyana at home on Tuesday while avoiding a shock El Salvador victory in Mexico.  Certainly, the visiting Ticos have a more fancied lineup, but they only feature four players in Europe's top leagues: forwards Bryan Ruiz (Fulham) and Joel Campbell (Real Betis), star goalkeeper Keylor Navas (Levante, Spain), and defender Bryan Oviedo (Everton, England).  Expect Ruiz to start on the bench in favor of Alvaro Saborio of Real Salt Lake (USA).  The majority of the team plays in Scandivia or in Costa Rica.  El Salvador's contingent contains mostly domestically-based players.  Midfielder and captin Dennis Alas plays for Luis Angel Firpo and Osael Romero plys his trade for Aguila.  However, key striker Rafael Burgos (Kecskemeti, Hungary) and key midfielder Jaime Alas (Rosenborg, Norway) bring foreign league credentials.  Certainly, playing at Estadio Cuscatlan instills a sense of pride into the local boys.  El Salvador struggled with Guyana in September, but they did overturn a 2-0 deficit at Costa Rica to earn a tie and were hard done by the referees in a home loss to Mexico in June.  The bold call is being made right here: El Salvador will win at home and eliminate Costa Rica.   

In Group One, Guatemala host Jamaica while United States of America go to Antigua and Barbuda.  Guatemala, Jamaica, and the United States are all even on seven points coming into Matchday Five.  Guatemala looked awful in their pair of matches against Antigua in September, going down 1-0 early at home before taking advantage of a red card to win 3-1.  Only a beautiful strike from distance by forward Carlos Ruiz (Veracruz, Mexico) allowed them to win on the road.  Midfielder Marco Pappa (Heerenveen, Netherlands) is the other star, but in reality the talent level aside from those two is low.  Jamaica were more impressive with Dwayne Miller (Syrianska, Sweden) in goal looking superb against the United States.  The strike force includes Luton Shelton (Karabukspor, Turkey) and Ryan Johnson (Toronto FC), but the strength is the speedy midfield.  Dane Richard (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada), Rodolph Austin (Leeds United, England), and Jevaughn Watson (Houston Dynamo) are all threats.  In defense, Adrian Mariappa (Reading, England) and Jermaine Taylor (Houston Dynamo) are solid.  Jamaica will be able to sneak out a draw on Friday and defeat Antigua at home on Tuesday to advance to the hexagonal. 

The United States are missing many excellent players due to injury, including all-time leading scorer midfielder Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) and winger Brek Shea (FC Dallas).  However, the Yanks do bring right back Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96) and centerbacks Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu of Stoke City, defensive midfielder Michael Bradley (AS Roma), and forward Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur) their talent is simply too great to lose to an Antigua side whose best player forward Peter Byers plays in the third-tier of the American soccer pyramid.  Antigua do feature teenage defender Zaine Francis-Angol who plies his trade with Motherwell in Scotland.  The United States will win in Antigua and then at home against Guatemala on Tuesday to advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

In Group Three, Honduras at Panama will go a long way to seeing if both teams will be able to advance to the Fourth Round or whether Canada will have an opening after defeating Cuba at home on Friday.  Panama are the pick to win and advance to the final round of qualifying.  Panama feature captain Felipe Baloy (Santos Laguna, Mexico) in defense, but their true talents are further up the pitch.  Nelson Barahona (Atletico Huila, Colombia) leads the midfield and the dual strikers are the feared Blas Perez (FC Dallas) and Luis Tejada (Toluca, Mexico).

The key match will be next Tuesday with Canada traveling to Honduras.  Canada bring, but Honduras will welcome the Canucks with a tough team top to bottom.  Defender Maynor Figueroa plays for Wigan Athletic.  The other stars play in the United States, including defender Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), midfield talisman Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), midfielders Roger Espinoza (Sporting Kansas City) and Marvin Chavez (San Jose), and forward Jerry Bengston (New England Revolution).  However, Espinoza will be out through injury. Canada feature captain and centerback Kevin McKenna (Koln, Germany), defenders Andre Hainault (Houston) and Marcel de Jong (Augsburg), and goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld (Valerenga, Norway) from a team that has pitched eight shutouts in ten 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers played.  An attack featuring midfielder Atiba Hutchinson (PSV Eindhoven) and fast attackers Olivier Occean (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Simeon Jackson (Norwich City, England) will be able to replace the injured Dwayne de Rosario (DC United, USA).  Canada should sneak a low-scoring draw much like the 0-0 between the sides in June and advance behind Panama into the final six in CONCACAF.

In South America, the marquee matchup features 2011 Copa America winners Uruguay visiting first-place Argentina.  Uruguay have been severely off their game as of late, losing 4-0 in Colombia and drawing 1-1 against Ecuador at home in September.  Argentina are simply the much better side as of late, having defeated Paraguay soundly last month and stealing a road draw against Peru.  Argentina do not look vulnerable at home this year despite the punditry always criticizing their star forward Lionel Messi (Barcelona).  Uruguay are out of sorts, and their best striker Luis Suarez (Liverpool, England) has been receiving much negative media attention and a heavy workload at his club.  Argentina will win and extend their lead atop the standings.

Two other CONMEBOL contenders square off with Chile at Ecuador also on the slate.  A Chile side without the suspended Gary Medel (Sevilla) head to Quito to take on an Ecuador side that catches break after break in their home matches to maintain a very lucky 100 percent home record.  However, Ecuador have yet to allow a goal in Quito in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and they have already won their first four matches at home, so why stop now?  Ecuador will win.

In the other two matches on CONMEBOL Matchday Nine, Bolivia are the pick at home against Peru and Colombia will run rampant on Paraguay at home.

Quick picks for CONMEBOL Matchday Ten: Uruguay tie at Bolivia, Venezuela defeat Ecuador at home, Paraguay defeat Peru at home, and Argentina tie at Chile.

Match Previews:
http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/To-keep-World-Cup-hopes-alive-Costa-Rica-must-not-stumble-in-El-Salvador_Thursday-October-11-2012
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1783170/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_4
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1783123/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_2
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1782787/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_1
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/1040?cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/1024?cc=5901
http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/10/klinsmann-usmnt-midfield.html
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/10/11/wcq-preview-short-handed-us-look-avoid-antigua-trap
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/10/11/wcq-preview-canada-not-overlooking-mystery-cuban-side

Match Schedule: October 2012

The month of October 12 will see five teams in CONCACAF eliminated from Brasil 2014.  The AFC Fourth Round will make it to its halfway point, as will the CONMEBOL single group phase, and the OFC Third Round.  In OFC, Tahiti will be looking to avoid an early elimination this month.  UEFA Match Days Three and Four will start to clear up the picture in Europe.

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

12 October 2012
New Caledonia at Solomon Islands 23:00 (11 October) Honiara
Portugal at Russia 10:00 Moscow
Georgia at Finland 10:30 Helsinki
Austria at Kazakhstan 11:00 Astana
Italy at Armenia 11:00 Yerevan
Sweden at Faroe Islands 11:00 Torshavn
Iceland at Albania 12:00 Tirana
Romania at Turkey 12:30 Istanbul
Lithuania at Liechtenstein 12:30 Vaduz
Spain at Belarus 13:00 Minsk
Ukraine at Moldova 13:00 Chisinau
Denmark at Bulgaria 13:00 Sofia
Malta at Czech Republic 13:00 Plzen
Latvia at Slovakia 13:15 Bratislava
Germany at Ireland 13:15 Dublin
Hungary at Estonia 13:30 Tallinn
Croatia at Macedonia 13:30 Skopje
Belgium at Serbia 13:30 Belgrade
Norway at Switzerland 13:30 Bern
Andorra at Netherlands 13:30 Rotterdam
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Cyprus at Slovenia 13:45 Maribor
Scotland at Wales 13:45 Cardiff
Israel at Luxembourg 14:00 Luxembourg
San Marino at England 14:00 London
Peru at Bolivia 14:00 La Paz
Paraguay at Colombia 15:30 Barranquilla
Chile at Ecuador 16:00 Quito
United States of America at Antigua and Barbuda 18:00 North Sound
Cuba at Canada 18:45 Toronto
Uruguay at Argentina 19:00 Mendoza
Mexico at Guyana 20:00 Houston, United States of America
Costa Rica at El Salvador 20:30 San Salvador
Jamaica at Guatemala 21:00 Guatemala City
Honduras at Panama 21:05 Panama City
New Zealand at Tahiti 1:00 (13 October) Pirae

16 October 2012
Tahiti at New Zealand 1:35 Christchurch
Solomon Islands at New Caledonia 3:30 Noumea
Uzbekistan at Qatar 7:25 Doha
Jordan at Oman 8:00 Muscat
Australia at Iraq 9:15 Doha, Qatar
Azerbaijan at Russia 10:00 Moscow
Luxembourg at Israel 11:00 Tel Aviv
Georgia at Belarus 11:00 Minsk
South Korea at Iran 11:30 Tehran
Liechtenstein at Latvia 12:00 Riga
Estonia at Andorra 12:00 Andorra La Vella
Montenegro at Ukraine 13:00 Kyiv
Norway at Cyprus 13:00 Larnaca
Netherlands at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Lithuania at Bosnia and Herzegovina 13:00 Zenica
Wales at Croatia 13:00 Osijek
Bulgaria at Czech Republic 13:00 Prague
Ireland at Faroe Islands 13:00 Torshavn
Serbia at Macedonia 13:30 Skopje
Turkey at Hungary 13:30 Budapest
Greece at Slovakia 13:30 Bratislava
Kazakhstan at Austria 13:30 Vienna
Moldova at San Marino 13:30 Serravalle
Switzerland at Iceland 13:30 Reykjavik
Slovenia at Albania  13:45 Tirana
Scotland at Belgium 13:45 Brussels

Sweden at Germany 13:45 Berlin

Denmark at Italy 13:45 Milan
England at Poland 14:00 Warsaw
France at Spain 14:00 Madrid
Uruguay at Bolivia 14:00 La Paz
Northern Ireland at Portugal 14:45 Porto
Panama at Cuba 15:00 Havana
Canada at Honduras 15:00 San Pedro Sula
Peru at Paraguay 17:00 Asuncion
Ecuador at Venezuela 17:00 Puerto La Cruz
Antigua and Barbuda at Jamaica 18:15 Kingston
Guatemala at United States of America 18:15 Kansas City
Argentina at Chile 19:05 Santiago
El Salvador at Mexico 20:00 Torreon
Guyana at Costa Rica 20:00 San Jose

Panama 2 - Canada 0; Honduras 1 - Cuba 0

Panama City was the site for the rematch between visiting Canada, 1-0 winners at home, and hosts Panama.  The horns were blaring from the start as La Marea Roja were looking to avenge a loss in Canada four days ago.  Six minutes into the match, the lights went out.  Dwayne De Rosario, Canada's star midfielder, went out with a knee knock during the quarter-hour stoppage of play as the down time stopped the flow of adrenaline and forced him to be substituted.  The first warning that Canada were in for trouble came off the boot of Alberto Quintero, who forced a good saved out of the Canuck goalkeeper.  With seven minutes left in the half, an Armando Cooper corner kick was met violently by the head of his Panama teammate Roland Blackburn.  The ball caromed off the inside of the far post and whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Panama led 1-0 at intermission.

Canada came out strongly to start the half, earning a variety of corner kicks that did not lead to goals.  Quintero then stemmed the tide of momentum as he made a swell run up the left side of the pitch.  Quintero made it to the end line, from where he pulled back, faked a pass to Blas Perez to draw out the goalkeeper, and then did slot a pass to Perez, who smashed the ball home with authority to send la Marea Roja on their way to victory with a second goal.  Panama win 2-0 and assert control of Group Three with two matchdays left.

San Pedro Sula was the site as the hosts Honduras were looking to eliminate Cuba from Brasil 2014.  Toothless Cuba had yet to score a goal in their opening three qualifiers.  That poor run of form continued today, but Honduras were made to work to find their own offense.  Roger Espinoza beat his man around the end line and floated a cross to the far post to Jerry Bengston (pictured, white), who had slipped his mark to find acres of space.  Bengston rose for the header and nodded home for a goal created by two Major League Soccer players.  Honduras led 1-0 at halftime.

Honduras were unable to extend their advantage in the second period, but Cuba once again provided no offense.  Honduras end up winning 1-0.  Cuba are now reduced to playing the spoiler role for the rest of their qualifying campaign, for with the 1-0 defeat Cuba are the first and only team to be eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup during the month of September 2012.  At least Cuba can consider the 1-0 reverse an improvement over their 3-0 loss to Honduras in Havana.

Panama 9 pts +2
Honduras 7 pts +2
Canada 7 pts 0
Cuba OUT

Goals
Panama
Roland Blackburn 38
Blas Perez 57

Honduras
Jerry Bengston 32

Match Reports:
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/797786--canada-falls-to-panama-2-0-in-key-world-cup-qualifying-game
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1255406--panama-defeats-canada-2-0-in-world-cup-qualifier
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/panama-2-0-canada-reds-032000121--sow.html
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2916572,00.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq0Ma7b0rMQ (Panama v. Canada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozGVpbaFg5U (Honduras v. Cuba)

El Salvador 3 - Guyana 2; Mexico 1 - Costa Rica 0

Providence was the scene for the return match between hosts Guyana and El Salvador.  Both teams needed to win to push for the second spot in Group Two, and both teams went out with an attacking mindset, leading to an open football match.  The Golden Jaguars got the crowd going in the first minute when Gregory Richardson scored after an unforced turnover by El Salvador.  La Selecta answered ten minutes later when a Jaime Alas cross led to an Osael Romero header nutmegged the goalkeeper for 1-1.  Poor finishing more than anything else prevented the scoreline from changing before halftime.

La Selecta took ten minutes, but they nosed ahead when Alas gathered an overhit corner kick before unleashing his team's second goal to the near post before the goalkeeper could march across his goal line to cover.  Guyana leveled the match again when a Carl Cort header was trapped by Chris Nurse before Nurse finished into the Salvadoran net.  El Salvador took a 3-2 lead with one quarter hour to go through after a weak headed clearance attempt fell to an onrushing Rafael Burgos, who provided a classy finish, but the height of the drama came just before the final whistle.  Guyana were awarded a penalty kick when Richardson was brought down, but Cort's effort was saved by Salvadoran goalkeeper Dagoberto Portillo to preserve the 3-2 victory.  El Salvador win 3-2 and now must only beat Costa Rica at home next month in order to advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  Guyana must win their final two matches to have any hope of survival.

The famed Estadio Azteca hosted the return of Mexico to home soil to take on Costa Rica.  Hector Moreno's powerful header off a Mexico corner was headed toward a destination in the Tico net, but goalkeeper Keylor Navas flew to the upper reaches of his goal to tap the ball onto the crossbar.  The otherwise slow first half ended 0-0.

Early in the second period, Navas continued his hero turn with a diving one-handed stab at a solid header from Jesus Zavala.  Mexico broke through on the hour mark when a Jose Torres Nilo cross had the absolute perfect pace, height, and curl to float one centimeter over Navas's hand and onto Javier Hernandez's (pictured, green) grateful head at an abandoned back post, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.  The rest of the match stayed true to its slow, relaxed pace with no real action to be found.  With the uneventful 1-0 victory, Mexico are the first of six teams to advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

Mexico 12 pts IN
El Salvador 5 pts 0
Costa Rica 4 pts +1
Guyana 1 pts -7

Goals
El Salvador
Osael Romero 12
Jaime Alas 56
Rafael Burgos 76

Guyana
Gregory Richardson 1
Chris Nurse 62

Mexico
Javier Hernandez 60

Match Reports:
http://www.demerarawaves.com/index.php/201209124577/Latest/el-salvador-ends-3-game-world-cup-qualifying-winless-streak-against-guyana.html
http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/09/12/guyana-lose-3-2-to-el-salvador/
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mexico-1-0-costa-rica-030200414--sow.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVhviBVfNuI (El Salvador v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7XQJHr75yM (Mexico v. Costa Rica)

United States of America 1 - Jamaica 0; Guatemala 1 - Antigua and Barbuda 0

Antigua and Barbuda hosted the return match against Guatemala in North Sound.  Regular Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James was out for a red-card suspension.  Twenty minutes in, the crowd at North Sound witnessed the goal of the day in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Sadly for them, it was Carlos Ruiz of the Chapines who authored the strike.  A half-volley from twenty-five yards was struck purely by Ruiz and became the upper-niniest of upper-ninety goals.  Guatemala nearly made it two, but their effort was smacked off the near post straight back toward its origin.

Guatemala dealt well with the pressure of a tight match in the second forty-five.  Though their offense could not muster much against a resolute Antigua defense, the Chapines refused to bend on their own defenseive end.  Guatemala see the 1-0 win out and move into a tie for first place in Group One.

United States of America returned to their fortress in Columbus to take on group leaders Jamaica.  Jamaica goalkeeper Dwayne Miller was unbeatable in the first half.  Not even a deflection after having committed to a dive the opposite way could best him as he somehow stopped momentum and dove backwards to tip the ball off the post.  First-time United States starting midfielder Graham Zusi was the best field player in the first half, and he nearly scored on two occasions, once denied Miller.  Danny Williams hit a wicked bullet from over forty yards that beat Miller, but the intersection of the posts took the brunt of the blow and not the back of the net.  Jamaica were relieved to enter the locker room tied 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second period, the United States drew a free kick.  Herculez Gomez struck a decent ball over the wall, but Miller got both hands to it.  Still, the ball somehow got through Miller anyway, and the United States had a deserved 1-0 lead.  At this point, the level of energy dropped from the home side, giving Jamaica hope to snatch a draw.  A Luton Shelton shot in the final ten minutes was the first real Reggae Boyz attack, and it would be the last.  United States win 1-0 to move into a three-way tie for first place with two matchdays left to play.

USA 7 pts +2
Guatemala 7 pts +2
Jamaica 7 pts +1
Antigua 1 pts -5

Goals
Guatemala
Carlos Ruiz 20

United States
Herculez Gomez 55

Match Reports:
http://www.tropigol.com/2012/09/11/ruiz-gives-guatemala-1-0-victory-at-antigua/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/09/11/usa-jamaica.ap/index.html#?sct=sc_t2_a3
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/avi_creditor/09/12/usa-jamaica-steve-cherundolo/index.html?sct=sc_t12_a0

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA_E5d4FBKc (Guatemala v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5CBZjcGpis (USA v. Jamaica)

Guyana 2 - El Salvador 2; Mexico 2 - Costa Rica 0

El Salvador welcomed Guyana to San Salvador for the first of their two matchups this week.  Many assumed La Selecta would take the full complement of six points, but the Golden Jaguars were not about to get eliminated from Brasil 2014 without a fight.  El Salvador took an early lead when a looping Rafael Burgos cross was pushed home on the volley by Isidro Gutierrez, but nary one quarter hour later, Guyana had equalized.  A three-on-two counterattack was finished from the top of the box via a laser shot from Treyon Bobb. La Selecta, unphased, pushed ahead anew one minute later when Osael Romero volleyed off a cross from inside the six-yard box.  The 2-1 lead in favor of El Salvador would be the halftime score.

The Golden Jaguars showed their grit in the second period.  Ten minutes after the restart, Gregory Richardson laced a long through ball into an area where only Bobb could reach the ball.  Bobb nutmegged the goalkeeper to earn Guyana the biggest result in their history, a 2-2 road draw in El Salvador.

Mexico visited San Jose to face Costa Rica.  Mexico appear to be the only visiting side to have San Jose figured out as they have not lost in Costa Rica since, a string of five games dating back to 1992 that includes three Mexican victories.  The two were level until three minutes remained in the first period.  An Andres Guardado (pictured, black) corner kick was headed backwards by Francisco Rodriguez and into Carlos Salcido, whose weak bouncing shot somehow found its way unimpeded into the Ticos' net.  Mexico led 1-0 at the break.

Another Guardado corner was whipped in seven minutes into the half when it was met off the volley by Jesus Zavala's right foot.  The caromed off the underside of the crossbar and into the Ticos' net for a 2-0 Mexico lead.  A desperate Costa Rica subbed on striker Randall Brenes for a defender and the move nearly paid dividends immediately.  Brenes won a header in the box, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to his spot as he watch the ball sail just wide.  Brenes later put the ball into the net, but he was correctly ruled offside.  Mexico win 2-0 and can clinch their spot in the CONCACAF Fourth Round with a win at home to Costa Rica on Tuesday.

Mexico 9 pts +5
Costa Rica 4 pts +2
El Salvador 2 pts -1
Guyana 1 pts -6

Goals
El Salvador
Isidro Gutierrez 4
Osael Romero 21

Guyana
Treyon Bobb 20, 54

Mexico
Carlos Salcido 43
Jesus Zavala 52

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/costa-rica-0-2-mexico-032600710--sow.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHhvwYXTnVQ (Guyana v. El Salvador)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=788YtUqs-zw (Mexico v. Costa Rica)

Jamaica 2 - United States of America 1; Guatemala 3 - Antigua and Barbuda 1

Herculez Gomez wasted little time breaking down the right side of the Jamaican defense, launching a shot into the goalkeeper and then the rebound into the chest of a sliding Nyron Nosworthy.  A second rebound fell to Clint Dempsey, who finished to give the United States their fastest ever qualifying goal, besting his own record set in the 2010 FIFA World Cup home qualifier against Barbados.  Rodolph Austin was brought down by Kyle Beckerman, giving Jamaica a dangerous free kick, which Austin expertly slotted under the wall and into the Americans' net thanks to a deflection off the leg of Beckerman himself.  A sliding Dempsey effort late in the half was caught on a slide by Jamaican goalkeeper Dwayne Miller.  The half ended tied at one goal apiece.

In the second period, the lack of leadership in the American midfield became a severe problem.  The absences of Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley forced the United States to use a midfield of three defensive-minded players, and the lack of attack allowed Jamaica to play without worry.  Another free kick opportunity allowed Luton Shelton to dip a strike up and over the wall from thrity-one yards to give Jamaica a 2-1 lead.  The worry for the United States coming in was Jamaica's speed, but it ended up being that free kick prowess that did in the Yanks.  The Reggae Boyz win 2-1, their first ever victory over the United States.

Rainy Guatemala City was the scene as the hosts Guatemala welcomed Antigua and Barbuda.  The play was up and down, with chances coming from both sides as both teams knew a win would revive their hopes of advancing to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  Guatemala struck a post on a long distance shot in the early going.  Antigua have not been intimidated by the rare air in which they find themselves.  Leading scorer Peter Byers received a ball at the center circle, boxed out his man, turned on his man, slalomed around a Chapin defender, and then slotted home from the top of the box to give his side a 1-0 lead at the half.  Byers, on ten goals, is the second-leading scorer in Brasil 2014, one behind Deon McCaulay of Belize.

Marco Pappa nearly equalized with a free kick, but his shot his the crossbar before rebounding off a teammate for a goal kick.  Pappa made a run up the right side of the field before unleashing a beautiful cross to the far post where Carlos Ruiz was waiting.  Ruiz's header equalized the match at one goal apiece.  Antigua looked closest to regaining the lead, but one shot was blasted off the crossbar and another was turned away by a Chapin defender off the line.  Antigua's Molvin James pulled off the ever-so rare double yellow card maneuver by a goalkeeper in minute 76, picking up his second yellow for time wasting and leaving Antigua with ten men for the final quarter hour.  Ruiz scored on a two-on-none breakaway to pushed his career goal tally to a Guatemalan record 52 goals.  Antigua, despite being a man down, nearly equalized, but a snap header was tipped over the bar by Ricardo Jerez.  A desperate Antigua pushed numbers forward in stoppage time, leaving them susceptible to a three-on-one break that ended with a third Chapin goal.  Guatemala win 3-1.

Jamaica 7 pts +2
USA 4 pts +1
Guatemala 4 pts +1
Antigua 1 pts -4

Goals
United States of America
Clint Dempsey 1

Jamaica
Rodolph Austin 22
Luton Shelton 62

Guatemala
Carlos Ruiz 58, 79
Dwight Pezzarossi 90+1

Antigua and Barbuda
Peter Byers 38

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/grant_wahl/09/08/usa-jamaica-clint-dempsey/index.html?sct=sc_t11_a0
http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2012/09/MNT-Falls-to-Jamaica-in-Kingston.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm-50IVf-_c (Jamaica v. USA)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xixji-Fkum0 (Guatemala v. Antigua)

Canada 1 - Panama 0; Honduras 3 - Cuba 0

Honduras, stuck in third place in Group Three after two rounds, had to get the job down on the road in Havana as they faced cellar-dwellers Cuba.  At the half hour mark, a cross found the head of Georgie Welcome inside the Cuban box.  Welcome nodded into the path of an unmarked Jerry Bengston, who finished with a nice left-footed half volley off the inside of the near post.  Honduras held a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

In the second period, Honduras continued to dominate.  Victor Bernardez curled a free kick low and around the inside of a three-man wall before finding the back of the Cuban net to put the Catrachos up 2-0.  A late turnover as Cuba were pushing up the pitch desperately allowed Marvin Chavez to run with the ball sixty yards on a counterattack before finishing for a 3-0 win.  If Cuba cannot secure a point on the road to Honduras on Tuesday, they will be eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Toronto was the scene as the two group leaders faced off.  Canada were the host in this matchup, but Panama were the slight favorites.  Canada knew they needed to secure multiple points from their home-and-home with Panama, so their home match was played very assertively.  Kevin McKenna had two open headers in the box to put the Canucks in front, but his first effort was scuffed and his second off the post.  The half finished 0-0.

Dwayne De Rosario turned on a ball he gathered at the top of Panama's box, but his rifled shot was met with two hands by Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo to preserve the deadlock.  Panama were called for a foul at the left edge of their box.  While Panama were still complaining about the call, an alert Atiba Hutchinson took a quick free kick and crossed into the box into the path of an onrushing De Rosario.  With the goal, De Rosario became Canada's all-time leading goalscorer with twenty.  Roman Torres almost pulled back a tie for Panama, but his scorcher just missed to the far post.  Canada win 1-0 and take over first place in Group Three.  This was Canada's eighth straight shutout in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Canada 7 pts +2
Panama 6 pts +2
Honduras 4 pts +1
Cuba 0 pts -5

Goals
Honduras
Jerry Bengston 31
Victor Bernardez 63
Marvin Chavez 90+2

Canada
Dwayne De Rosario 77

Match Reports:
http://deportesus.terra.com/sports/soccer/cup/2014/qualifiers/noticias/0,,OI6138795-EI18601,00-Honduras+defeat+Cuba+in+CONCACAF+Qualifiers.html
http://boxscorenews.com/honduras-tops-cuba-to-end-world-cup-qualifying-slide-p46629-68.htm
http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/canada-edges-panama-1-0-in-world-cup-qualifier-1.947664
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Canada+edges+Panama+World+soccer+qualifying+with+late+DeRo+goal/7209636/story.html
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1253412--canada-beats-panama-1-0-in-world-cup-qualifying

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VaJfnZxv4I (Honduras v. Cuba)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dWllYdtEis (Canada v. Panama)

Match Schedule: September 2012

September 2012 will forever be known as the month when Europe began their qualification cycle for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Defending world and European champions Spain will make the latest 2014 debut of any team that played in South Africa 2010 when they open their tournament on 11 September 2012.  Every team in the UEFA zone will make their debut this month.

In South America, Matchdays Seven and Eight are on deck.  Oceania open their Third Round of qualifying with a double matchday.  Asia have only one matchday on tap, the fourth of ten in their final round of qualifying.  North America push beyond the midway mark of their Third Round as they play Matchdays Three and Four.

The only three teams in danger of elimination this month are Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, and Guyana.

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

7 September 2012
Tahiti at Solomon Islands 23:00 (6 September) Honiara
New Zealand at New Caledonia 4:00 Noumea
Northern Ireland at Russia 10:00 Moscow
Ireland at Kazakhstan 11:00 Astana
Israel at Azerbaijan 11:00 Baku
Belarus at Georgia 12:00 Tbilisi
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Liechtenstein 12:00 Vaduz
Romania at Estonia 13:00 Tallinn
Armenia at Malta 13:00 Ta'Qali
Slovakia at Lithuania 13:15 Vilnius
Macedonia at Croatia 13:15 Zagreb
Greece at Latvia 13:30 Riga
France at Finland 13:30 Helsinki
Poland at Montenegro 13:30 Podgorica
Cyprus at Albania 13:30 Tirana
Switzerland at Slovenia 13:30 Ljubljana
Turkey at Netherlands 13:30 Amsterdam
Hungary at Andorra 13:30 Andorra La Vella
Italy at Bulgaria 13:45 Sofia
England at Moldova 13:45 Chisinau
Faroe Islands at Germany 13:45 Hanover
Portugal at Luxembourg 13:45 Luxembourg
Belgium at Wales 13:45 Cardiff
Norway at Iceland 13:45 Reykjavik
Honduras at Cuba 14:00 Havana
Uruguay at Colombia 15:30 Barranquilla
Bolivia at Ecuador 16:00 Quito
Paraguay at Argentina 18:10 Cordoba
Panama at Canada 18:45 Toronto
United States of America at Jamaica 19:00 Kingston
Venezuela at Peru 20:25 Lima
Guyana at El Salvador 20:30 San Salvador
Antigua and Barbuda at Guatemala 21:00 Guatemala City
Mexico at Costa Rica 21:05 San Jose

8 September 2012
Serbia at Scotland 9:00 Glasgow
Czech Republic at Denmark 13:15 Copenhagen

11 September 2012
Solomon Islands at New Zealand 2:35 Auckland
Iraq at Japan 5:34 Saitama
South Korea at Uzbekistan 8:00 Tashkent
Iran at Lebanon 9:00 Beirut
Australia at Jordan 11:00 Amman
Russia at Israel 12:00 Ramat Gan
Iceland at Cyprus 12:00 Larnaca
Spain at Georgia 12:30 Tbilisi
Andorra at Romania 12:30 Bucharest
Estonia at Turkey 13:00 Istanbul
Armenia at Bulgaria 13:00 Sofia
Latvia at Bosnia and Herzegovina 13:00 Zenica
Slovenia at Norway 13:00 Oslo
Liechtenstein at Slovakia 13:15 Bratislava
Wales at Serbia 13:30 Novi Sad
Netherlands at Hungary 13:30 Budapest
Kazakhstan at Sweden 13:30 Malmo
Albania at Switzerland 13:30 Lucerne
Montenegro at San Marino 13:30 Serravalle
Germany at Austria 13:35 Vienna
Lithuania at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Moldova at Poland 13:45 Wroclaw
Malta at Italy 13:45 Modena
Croatia at Belgium 13:45 Brussels
Luxembourg at Northern Ireland 13:45 Belfast
Belarus at France 14:00 Saint-Denis
Macedonia at Scotland 14:00 Glasgow
Ukraine at England 14:00 London
Azerbaijan at Portugal 14:15 Braga
Colombia at Chile 14:30 Santiago
Ecuador at Uruguay 16:30 Montevideo
Guatemala at Antigua and Barbuda 18:00 North Sound
Venezuela at Paraguay 18:25 Asuncion
El Salvador at Guyana 19:00 Providence
Jamaica at United States of America 19:11 Columbus
Costa Rica at Mexico 20:00 Mexico City
Canada at Panama 20:05 Panama City
Argentina at Peru 20:25 Lima
Cuba at Honduras 20:30 San Pedro Sula
New Caledonia at Tahiti 1:00 (12 September) Pirae

Guatemala 1 - United States of America 1; Antigua and Barbuda 0 - Jamaica 0

Antigua and Barbuda, looking to make a splash in their first home match in a CONCACAF Third Round, welcomed the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica to North Sound.  The Benna Boys nearly took the lead, but leading goalscorer Peter Byers had no clue that a nice ball had been played to his feet in the six-yard box, and Byers nearly tripped over the ball as he took a meek shot.  Antigua were better over the whole of the half, but they could not move the scoreboard away from 0-0.

Antigua continued to be the better side and had the lion's share of the ball.  Six minutes in, Demar Phillips nearly own goaled for Jamaica, but the gods decided to spare him.  Just beyond the hour mark, a Tamarley Thomas cross beat the entire Jamaican defense but sailed just one centimeter too high for an open Randolph Burton to head home an opener.  Three minutes later a Jevaughn Watson pass against the run of play found Luton Shelton, who fired a shot into the near post that let Antigua off the hook.  Byers had a couple more chances go begging later in the match.  The match finished 0-0, so Antigua record their first ever positive result against Caribbean powers Jamaica.

The United States of America entered tonight's dance with Guatemala on a seventeen-match unbeaten streak against the Chapines, and that run would stretch to eighteen today.  The crowd in Guatemala City was given plenty to cheer in the opening minutes by forward Mario Rodriguez, but none of his various efforts resulted in goals for the Chapines.  It took forty minutes, but the USA were able to finally get a ball into Clint Dempsey.  The Texan then calmly dodged two defenders whose slide tackles came up empty in the box.  At this point Dempsey slotted home underneath the goalkeeper to give the Yanks a tenuous 1-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the game continued to be quite closed.  Marco Pappa had come off the bench for the Chapines, and he was a difference maker.  At the midway point of the half, he hit a wicked shot that was blocked away by American goalkeeper Tim Howard and into the path of Carlos Ruiz, who then skied the rebound shot.  Eleven minutes from time, the USA were in on goal after Dempsey had snuck a through ball for Jozy Altidore as Dempsey was being fouled, but the referee decided to stop play instead of playing the advantage, a foolish decision considering Altidore had only the goalkeeper to beat.  The reprieve reawakened Guatemala.  Carlos Figueroa (pictured, white) forced a good save from Howard, but Pappa finished the job with a finely taken free kick that curled over the USA wall and under Howard's crossbar.  The final score is 1-1.

USA 4 pts +2
Jamaica 4 pts +1
Guatemala 1 pts -1
Antigua 1 pts -2

Goals
United States of America
Clint Dempsey 40

Guatemala
Marco Pappa 83

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120613/sports/sports1.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/06/12/us.guatemala.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/grant_wahl/06/12/us.guatemala.three.thoughts/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBgCzUtSo2U (Antigua v. Jamaica)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98tJmnmeWmA (Guatemala v. USA)

Mexico 2 - El Salvador 1; Costa Rica 4 - Guyana 0

Guyana played their first ever home match in a CONCACAF Third Round when Costa Rica came to call at Georgetown.  The crowd was treated to exciting football with both teams playing positively.  Shaky defending in the back by the Golden Jaguars allowed Ticos striker Alvaro Saborio to bag the opener on twenty minutes as a weak rolling pass made its way to his feet.  Gregory Richardson nearly found an equalizer soon thereafter, but his header hit the crossbar and then the goal line without going in.  Saborio made it 2-0 to Costa Rica six minutes after his opener after his header finished the hard work done by a pinpoint Joel Campbell cross.  The half ended 2-0.

Saborio certainly had no complaints about the service he received on this night.  Michael Barrantes provided another picture perfect cross for Saborio's head to easily tap home for a 3-0 lead on the back of Saborio's hat trick.  Campbell capped off the match with a lofted chip over a goalkeeper who had strayed too far off his line.  Costa Rica win 4-0.

2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Mexico played their first road match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in San Salvador against El Salvador.  The hospitality for Mexico was great; the Salvadoran fans even took it upon themselves to throw a party outside the hotel at which Mexico were stationed the night before the match in order to celebrate their presence in San Salvador!  The tactic seemed to work as Mexico came out of the gates slowly, but El Salvador did not look as dangerous as one would expect a home side to be.  The half ended as it began, 0-0.

A long through ball from the touch line was enough to give Mexico the break through on the hour mark.  Jesus Zavala was the recipient of the pass, and he curled his shot around the oncoming goalkeeper to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.  Five minutes later, Alfredo Pacheco responded with a beautiful free kick goal that he curled around a wall and into the bottom corner of the goal.  The match was equalized and should in all honesty have ended 1-1.  Mexico were able to escape with a win after a highly disputed goal.  A free kick for Mexico was swung into the Salvadoran penalty area very short of its intended target.  Mexico center back Francisco Rodriguez may or may not have grazed the ball as he attempted to leap over its bounce.  If he did touch it, then two Mexican players were both five yards offside before Hector Moreno's lucky double-header goal.  Moreno's initial header went off the Salvadoran goalkeeper's chest before it rebounded off Moreno's head and back into the goal, giving Mexico a 2-1 advantage with less than ten minutes to play.  Mexico win 2-1 with the aid of the disputed goal call.

Mexico 6 pts +3
Costa Rica 4 pts +4
El Salvador 1 pts -1
Guyana 0 pts -6

Goals
Costa Rica
Alvaro Saborio 20, 26, 52
Joel Campbell 77

Mexico
Jesus Zavala 60
Hector Moreno 82

El Salvador
Alfredo Pachecho 65

Match Reports:
http://www.guyanachronicleonline.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44874:2014-brazil-world-cup-qualifiers-&catid=12:sports&Itemid=4
http://insider.espn.go.com/sports/soccer/blog?name=mexican_national_team&id=8045656&_slug_=el-tri-grading-player-performances-world-cup-qualifier-win-el-salvador&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fsports%2fsoccer%2fblog%3fname%3dmexican_national_team%26id%3d8045656%26_slug_%3del-tri-grading-player-performances-world-cup-qualifier-win-el-salvador
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72581/el-salvador-vs-mexico/report
http://www.lasoccernews.com/international/mexico/mexico2.php?article_id=8576

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMGLgkO-_fw (Costa Rica v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AhjdlEj2FlE (Mexico v. El Salvador)

Honduras 0 - Canada 0; Panama 1 - Cuba 0

Canada welcomed Honduras to Toronto for their Group Three match.  The Canucks had total control of the match the full way through, but they could never translate their dominance onto the scoreboard.  Dwayne De Rosario created two chances for himself in the opening half hour, but he could not find the proper finishing definition.  In the best chance of the first half, Honduran Antony Lozano fired to the side of the Canadian goal after a great pass in by Oscar Boniek Garcia.  The game was scoreless at the break.

In the second period, Canada looked very likely to break the seal on the Honduran goal, but Canadian set piece after dangerous set piece failed to see the headed finishes they so deserved.  The first came via a header missed by Edgar David.  Honduran Roger Espinoza (pictured, white) almost scored on a laser with two minutes left, but his shot sailed high by mere centimeters.  In stoppage time, Canada had two set piece headers that would have won the match, but Kevin McKenna and David again were unable to capitalize.  Canada will be disappointed with the 0-0 result as they outshot Honduras twelve to six and created the majority of the chances on the night.

La Marea Roja welcomed Cuba to Panama City in Group Three play tonight.  Panama were not nearly as effective as they had been in Honduras four days earlier.  The opening half was frustrating for Panama, but at least they did not concede a goal in a 0-0 first forty-five.

In the second period, Nelson Barahona found himself open with acres of space.  He gathered his wits and proceeded to fire an unstoppable shot into the upper ninety to give the fans something about which to cheer: a 1-0 lead for Panama.  At the tail end of the match, Panama's goalkeeper Jaime Pinedo lost his nerve a bit as hit misplayed a couple crosses, but luckily for the home side both chances for Cuba were devoid of goals.  Panama win 1-0 and now top Group Three.

Panama 6 pts +3
Canada 4 pts +1
Honduras 1 pts -2
Cuba 0 pts -2

Goals
Panama
Nelson Barahona 58

Match Reports:
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/742333--canada-honduras-play-to-0-0-draw-in-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1210472--world-cup-soccer-canada-ties-honduras-0-0-in-qualifying
http://metronews.ca/sports/260967/canada-ties-honduras-0-0-in-world-cup-qualifying-match/
http://news.cubasi.cu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1482:panama-defeats-cuba-1-0


Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpljUQ-rXG8 (Honduras v. Canada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy-MQFTNJ1s (Panama v. Cuba)

El Salvador 2 - Costa Rica 2; Mexico 3 - Guyana 1

Mexico, CONCACAF favorites, welcomed Guyana and their Golden Jaguars to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the very first time.  A short elevated clearance by Guyana to their half circle landed at the feet of defender Carlos Salcido, who timed his volley to smack an expert strike into the back of the net and settle Mexico's nerves with a 1-0 lead.  Four minutes later, Mexico displayed their full arsenal in three quick touches.  Javier Hernandez back heeled to Aldo de Nigris, who settled the ball for an onrushing Giovani Dos Santos to blast a massive strike into the Guyanese goal, putting the Golden Jaguars down 2-0 before the quarter hour mark.  Mexico took the 2-0 score into the break.

Upon returning, Mexico kept attacking.  Andres Guardado sent in a dangerous cross to Hernandez that hit Hernandez and his marker in rapid succession, leading to an own goal and a 3-0 lead.  The only blemish on Mexico's record was an own goal of their own to make it 3-1.  Carl Cort had a goal effort that bounced off the goal toward Mexico's crossbar, but it flew just over.  Mexico win the match 3-1 and take an early lead in the race toward the CONCACAF Fourth Round out of Group Two.

La Selecta of El Salvador made the trip to San Jose to face off with powerhouse Costa Rica.  An early penalty appeal when Alvaro Saborio (pictured, red) was taken down in the box by Victor Turcios (pictured, white) was waved away to the dismay of Costa Rica.  Saborio quickly got Turcios back by chesting a ball down while turning Turcios around, leading to a superb unmarked finish by Saborio.  The Ticos extended the lead to 2-0 five minutes later when a Joel Campbell shot was deflected, leaving the goalkeeper extending himself in the wrong direction as he watched his net get breached again.  El Salvador were not shaken, and Isidro Gutierrez gathered a long rebound to finish clinically into the bottom left corner from twenty-six yards.  In minute 31, the lights went out, and the match was delayed by twenty minutes.  Costa Rica led 2-1 at the halftime whistle.

Nine minutes into the next period, Rafael Burgos received a ball in the Tico's half of the field and drew three Ticos defenders with his back to goal.  Burgos threaded a through ball to a streaking Osael Romero, who got off a shot before the overcommitted defense could react, levelling the match at two goals per team.  El Salvador were able to hold on to secure the valuable road point before facing Mexico at home on Tuesday.

Goals
Mexico
Carlos Salcido 11
Giovani Dos Santos 15
John Rodrigues 51 OG

Guyana
Hector Moreno 62 OG

Costa Rica
Alvaro Saborio 10
Joel Campbell 15

El Salvador
Isidro Gutierrez 23
Osael Romero 54

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72579/mexico-vs-guyana/report
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1215116-mexico-vs-guyana-mexico-must-show-consistency-to-succeed-in-future-matches
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2805295,00.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX1DDzzuwr0&feature=relmfu (Mexico v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jmMbLkCyk (El Salvador v. Costa Rica)