US draws, Mexico wins on way to World Cup

Two late goals allowed the United States to swipe a 2-2 draw at El Salvador to seize the regional 2010 World Cup qualifying lead while Mexican chances were boosted by a key home triumph.

Trailing by two goals at San Salvador with the hosts poised to seize the top of the table, the Americans swiped a draw thanks to goals from Jozy Altidore in the 77th minute and Frankie Hejduk in the 88th minute.

Mexico was a 2-0 loser at the US last month in a North and Central American and Caribbean zone qualifying opener, but bounced back with a 2-0 home triumph Saturday over Costa Rica, matching their victims for second in the table.

Omar Bravo scored in the 19th minute and Pavel Pardo netted a penalty kick in the 52nd minute for a victory before 105,000 spectators at Azteca Stadium that eased the pressure on Mexico manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Saturday’s other game in the six-team fight for three World Cup 2010 berths in South Africa saw Ataullah Guerra’s 89th-minute goal give Trinidad and Tobago a 1-1 draw with Honduras, which saw Carlos Pavon score in the 50th minute.

Trinidad and Tobago, which surrendered two goals in the last 11 minutes to settle for an opening draw at El Salvador, was without Dwight Yorke, serving a four-match ban, and Chris Birchall and Clayton Ince after second yellow cards.

El Salvador could have jumped atop the table by defeating the Americans but settled for a share of fourth on two points with Trinidad and Tobago. Mexico and Costa Rica are 1-1 with the US men 1-0 with a draw for four points.

The Salvadorans seized command on goals by Eliseo Ortiz Quintanilla in the 15th minute and Cristian Castillo in the 72nd but needed a defender’s header late in stoppage time to deny a bicycle kick by Brian Ching.

Costa Rica had inflicted Mexico’s lone home defeat in World Cup qualifying at the Azteca in 2001 but could not repeat the feat with a chance to have seized the lead of the table with a victory.

Competition resumes Wednesday when the United States will play host to Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico will travel to Honduras and Costa Rica will entertain El Salvador.