MLS performers played key roles in other CONCACAF qualifiers throughout the region, beyond the league-dominated U.S. team that defeated a Grenada side by 3-0 that also included an MLS player.
A goal from Colorado Rapids striker Jean-Phillipe Peguero gave Haiti a stunning 1-1 draw with Jamaica on Saturday in Miami. MetroStaes midfielder Amado Guevara orchestrated the Honduras victory against the Netherlands Antilles, while Columbus Crew striker Erick Scott came on as a substitute in Costa Rica's 2-2 draw with Cuba.
HAITI 1 - JAMAICA 1: In front of more than 30,000 fans at the Orange Bowl, Haiti recorded a dramatic result against a Jamaican side full of professionals who ply their trade in England.
After missing a penalty in just the first minute of play, Peguero coolly converted from the spot five minutes after the halftime interval to bring Haiti level. Marlon King had given Jamaica a 38th-minute lead.
Jamaica had a terrific opportunity to claim victory in the 88th minute, but Haiti goalkeeper Gerard Fenelon snatched a ball off the feet of Chicago Fire striker Damani Ralph in the area. Ralph came on in the 76th minute for King, while Fire teammate Andy Williams was an unused substitute. MetroStars defender Craig Ziadie started and played the entire 90 minutes.
The return match is set for June 20 at the National Stadium in Kingston.
HONDURAS 2 - NETHERLANDS ANTILLES 1: Led by the playmaking of Guevara, Honduras held on to defeat Caribbean minnows Netherlands Antilles 2-1 at the Ergilio Hato Stadion in Willemstad, Curacao.
Oscar David Suazo, who plays for Cagliari in Italy, scored in the eighth and 68th minutes for Honduras, before Brutil Hose pulled a goal back for the home side 15 minutes from time.
The Dutch principality then had a goal ruled out for offside in the final minute, which Antilles technical director Pim Verbeek called a "grave injustice".
Guevara played the entire 90 minutes for the catrachos. The return match will be played on June 19 at the Estadio Olímpico in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
CANADA 4 - BELIZE 0: San Jose Earthquakes teammates Pat Onstad and Dwayne De Rosario were key performers as Canada got their World Cup qualifying campaign off on the right foot with a 4-0 victory against Belize in Kingston, Ontario.
Paul Peschisolido (38), Tomasz Radzinski (54), Kevin McKenna (75) and Jim Brennan (83) scored as Canada eased to victory on a rainy night when they also hit the crossbar twice. Onstad was rarely tested in the Canada goal, while DeRosario played the full 90 minutes for Canada, coached by former San Jose Earthquakes boss Frank Yallop.
The return match will also be played at Richardson Stadium in Kingston, on Wednesday, June 19.
COSTA RICA 2 - CUBA 2: When Costa Rican striker Scott entered the match in the 80th minute, the match between Costa Rica and Cuba at the Estadio Pedro Marrero in La Habana was tied a 2-2, and that's where matters ended.
Costa Rica's Douglas Sequeira put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes, but Lester Moré equalized from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, before Alvaro Saborio put the visitors back in front at the halftime break with a 43rd-minute goal.
But then in the 76th minute Jaime Colomé swung in a free kick from the left flank and Moré rose up to head past Ricardo Gonzalez and give Cuba the draw.
Cuba will now travel to Costa Rica on June 20 for the return leg of their series, the winner advancing to the CONCACAF semifinal round.
IN OTHER MATCHES: Guatemala, without injured striker Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles Galaxy), struggled to a shock 1-1 draw against rank outsiders Suriname in Paramaribo. MetroStars striker Cornell Glen was out through injury for Trinidad & Tobago's 2-0 victory against Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo, and D.C. United striker Ronald Cerritos was surprisingly not included in the squad for El Salvador in their tight 2-1 victory against Bermuda in San Salvador.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
