US Soccer Clinches World Cup Berth

The U.S. men’s soccer ((football) team has qualified for next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil after defeating Mexico 2-0 in Columbus, Ohio Tuesday.

Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan scored in the second half to propel the U.S. to first place in the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) qualifying zone with 16 points. Their berth in the 2014 finals tournament was sealed after Honduras fought Panama to a 2-2 tie.

Costa Rica also qualified for the World Cup finals Tuesday after their 1-1 draw against last place Jamaica. Costa Rica finished one point behind the Americans in the CONCACAF standings, with Honduras at third with 11 points and still alive for the third automatic qualification spot.

Tuesday’s loss dropped Mexico to fifth place behind Panama, leaving its World Cup finals ambitions in serious jeaopardy. Mexico must fight to win a fourth place spot and a chance for a home-and-away playoff against the Oceania Zone winner New Zealand for a trip to Brazil.

The top three teams after 10 group matches, to be completed by mid-October, earn places in next year’s World Cup.