… three places in World Cup finals remain up for grabs
MIAMI, Florida (Reuters) – All three regional places in the World Cup finals remain up for grabs as the tightly contested CONCACAF qualification process reaches the penultimate round tomorrow.

The United States, who lead the six-team group on 16 points, would book their place in next year’s finals in South Africa with a win in Honduras although that is a far from simple task.

The Hondurans, who, despite the distractions of a military coup, are seeking their first appearance in the finals since 1982. With a 100 percent home record in qualifying, they will fancy their chances of maintaining that form

Mexico, who made a poor start to qualifying, are second on 15 points and have an easier task at home to fifth-placed El Salvador despite an injury doubt over influential forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Former group leaders Costa Rica have slumped to fourth following defeats by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. After Rodrigo Kenton was fired last month, new coach Rene Simoes hopes to get them back on track against his former team Trinidad and Tobago.

The top three teams in the group qualify automatically while the fourth-placed side has to playoff against the fifth-placed team in South America – currently twice world champions Argentina.

For the U.S, who have appeared at the last five finals, three points will make their final game – against Costa Rica on Wednesday – a celebration rather than a tense decider.

“Ideally we can finish up things tomorrow but, again, there are factors in all of this that are sometimes out of our control,” said coach Bob Bradley.

“It’s been a very tight final round because of some of the other results. But the opportunity to go there and play to win and come away with three points is a great challenge, one that we are embracing.

“I think the players are ready for it and we’re going to go for it with everything we have knowing that obviously we still have the home game to follow.”

POLITICAL TENSION
Bradley will be without attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey who has a shoulder injury and indicated that either Stuart Holden or Benny Feilhaber would deputise in San Pedro Sula.

Honduras, who have had to cope with the political tension in their country, will be without midfielder and captain Amado Guevara who is suspended.

Mexico have won four successive qualifiers since losing to El Salvador away in June but the absence of Blanco would rob them of the player who so often makes them tick.

El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos does not see such a scenario as handing his team much of a boost.

“It’s not an advantage. I think Mexico have a sufficient number of players to replace Cuauhtemoc and any other player. Whether Cuauhtemoc plays or not is all the same to me,” de los Cobos said.

Simoes, who coached Jamaica at the 1998 finals, has had little time to sort out Costa Rica’s problems but they are still in with a chance of an automatic place.

“A team that has gained 12 points in this group has to be strong and South Africa are still a good possibility for us,” said the Brazilian, whose team face a Trinidad and Tobago side who are already eliminated.