MLS was heavily-represnted as usual in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, with Real Salt Lake's Álvaro Saborío and his Costa Rica team providing the exclamation point on a dramatic finale to the region's qualifying tournament.
Saborío scored the winning goal with a powerful header in a 2-1 victory over Mexico just minutes after entering the game as a second-half substitute, though Mexico was still able to claim fourth place in the Hex thanks to the USA's thrilling 3-2 win over Panama. Rodney Wallace was on the bench for the Ticos, but did not feature.
In that US win, Colorado DP Gabriel Torres made his mark early on while starting up top with FC Dallas' Blas Pérez. Torres capitalized on a US defensive breakdown to lash home the opening goal of the game, but Panama would ultimately fall to two stoppage-time goals from the US. LA Galaxy 'keeper Jaime Penedo went the full 90 between the sticks for Los Canaleros.
In the other CONCACAF game of the evening, Jamaica and Honduras met in Kingston in a battle of two MLS-heavy outfits, with a 2-2 draw proving enough to see Los Catrachos through to the World Cup. San Jose's Víctor Bernárdez and Boniek García both started and went the full 90 for Honduras while Friday hero Jerry Bengtson saw limited action off the bench, though Marvin Chávez did not feature.
For Jamaica, Colorado rookie Deshorn Brown continued his fine run of form by helping force an own goal that brought Jamaica immediately level after an early strike had given Honduras the lead. FC Dallas' Je-Vaughn Watson also went the full 90 for the Reggae Boyz, while Vancouver's Darren Mattocks started and went 59 minutes and Portland's Ryan Johnson replaced Brown in the 77th minute.
Across the pond in Europe, the Republic of Ireland were already eliminated from 2014 World Cup contention, but Robbie Keane made sure to add one final exclamation point in front of the home fans.
The LA Galaxy striker wore the armband for the Irish on Tuesday, and opened the scoring with a 17th-minute penalty kick in a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan in Dublin in both teams' Group C finale in UEFA qualifying. Ireland finished with 14 points through 10 games to finish fourth in the group, which was won by Germany.
Joel Lindpere also got a final run-out in European qualifying, starting and going 75 minutes for already-eliminated Estonia in a 2-0 loss to Romania in Bucharest in Group D play. That win sees the Romanians through into the playoff round next month.
Elsewhere in Europe, six MLSers saw minutes for Canada in their 3-0 loss to Australia in a friendly at Craven Cottage in London. New York Red Bulls defender David Carney provided an assist on the rampant Aussies' final score, crossing in a ball from the left that Mathew Leckie headed home. Tim Cahill was in the Socceroos' 18, but did not appear.
Over in Asia, Steven Beitashour got his first cap for the Iranian national team in their 2-1 victory over Thailand in Asian Cup qualifying in Tehran on Tuesday. The American-born San Jose Earthquakes defender entered the match as a 76th-minute substitute with Iran already up 2-0. He'll now hope for a shot at making Carlos Queiroz's squad when Iran return to the World Cup next summer.
Below is the complete rundown of other MLSers who will see international action on Tuesday. Check back here throughout the day.
Republic of Ireland – vs. Kazakhstan, World Cup qualifier
Robbie Keane (LA) - Started, scored one goal
Estonia – lost 2-0 at Romania, World Cup qualifier
Joel Lindpere (CHI) - Started, played 75 minutes
Australia 3, Canada 0, international friendly
Kyle Bekker (TOR) - Subbed on in the 25th minute
Dwayne De Rosario (DC) - Started, played 45 minutes
Doniel Henry (TOR) - Started, played 90 minutes
Dejan Jakovic (DC) - Did not dress
Ashtone Morgan (TOR) - Subbed on in the 54th minute
Jonathan Osorio (TOR) - Subbed on after halftime
Russell Teibert (VAN) - Subbed on after halftime
Tim Cahill (NY) - Dressed, did not play
David Carney (NY) - Started, had one assist
Iran – beat Thailand 2-1, Asian Cup qualifier
Steven Beitashour (SJ) - Subbed on in the 76th minute
Uruguay – beat Argentina 3-2, World Cup qualifier
Arévalo Ríos (CHI) - Started, played 90 minutes
Costa Rica 2, Mexico 1, World Cup qualifier
Álvaro Saborío (RSL) - Subbed on in the 49th minute, scored one goal
Rodney Wallace (POR) - Dressed, did not play
Jamaica 2, Honduras 2, World Cup qualifier
Deshorn Brown (COL) - Started, forced own-goal, played 77 minutes
Ryan Johnson (POR) - Subbed on in the 77th minute
Darren Mattocks (VAN) - Started, played 59 minutes
Alvas Powell (POR) - Subbed on in the 62nd minute
Jermaine Taylor (HOU) - Dressed, did not play
Je-Vaughn Watson (DAL) - Started, played 90 minutes
Víctor Bernárdez (SJ) - Started, played 90 minutes
Boniek García (HOU) - Started, played 90 minutes
Marvin Chávez (SJ) - Dressed, did not play
Jerry Bengtson (NE) - Subbed on in the 86th minute
Panama – lost to United States 3-2, World Cup qualifier
Blas Pérez (FCD) - Started, played 90 minutes
Jaime Penedo (LA) - Started, played 90 minutes
Gabriel Torres (COL) - Started, played 90 minutes, scored one goal
Trinidad & Tobago – drew New Zealand 0-0, friendly
Cordell Cato (SJ) - Dressed, did not play
Kevan George (CLB) - Subbed on in the 83rd minute
Carlyle Mitchell (VAN) - Started, played 90 minutes
