Just four days after falling in a stunning home loss to Panama, Jamaica pulled right back into the pack in Group 1 of the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with an impressive 3-0 away victory against El Salvador.
Marlon King scored twice and Micah Hyde finished off the scoring as the Reggae Boyz had a three-goal lead before the first half was over, cruising to their victory of the round.
Jamaica pulled into a tie for second place in the group with Panama, each with four points after the USA's dramatic draw left them atop the group with five points. El Salvador is in last place at the halfway point of the round, but with three points.
Tyrone Marshall (Los Angeles Galaxy) played the entire match in the back four, while Chicago Fire striker Andy Williams was a late substitute. Despite scoring Jamaica's goal in their 2-1 loss in Kingston at the weekend, the Fire's Damani Ralph was an unused substitute.
King gave Jamaica the lead after just three minutes when he finished off a neat pass from Ricardo Fuller, turning the ball home after the wily striker went on a mazy run before splitting a pair of defenders.
King then doubled the lead in the 37th minute when he knocked home a corner kick, then just two minutes Hyde knocked home a rebound of a shot the Salvadoran 'keeper failed to hold.
In Group 3, Mexico finally got their semifinal round campaign started, defeating Trinidad & Tobago 3-1 in Port of Spain as Jesus Arellano scored two goals and Jared Borgetti one.
After their opening two matches were postponed, Arellano gave Mexico a lead after just 25 seconds at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, finding the back of the net with a rasping drive from long range. Borgetti doubled the lead just 20 minutes later, heading home a Pavel Pardo cross in the heart of the area.
Former Columbus Crew striker Stern John pulled a goal back for the Soca Warriors five minutes before the break, heading home past Oswaldo Sanchez, but Arellano provided the final margin of victory with a sharp drive that hit off the inside of the post and into the goal with just 10 minutes remaining.
The other scheduled match Wednesday between St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & Grenadines, was pushed back to Friday because of the effects of Hurricane Ivan. Mexico's game against St. Vincent & Grenadines, scheduled for last weekend but postponed because of the effects of Hurricane Frances, is now set for Sept. 22.
This story was not subject to approval by Major League Soccer or its clubs.
