U.S. rout hapless Cuba, Jamaica stun Mexico

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Sven-Goran Eriksson's Mexico slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday while the United States routed Cuba 6-1 after their opponents reportedly suffered two defections before the game.

The U.S. win guaranteed them a place in the final stage of the CONCACAF region's qualifying tournament next year and they were joined by Costa Rica, who won 4-1 in Suriname.

Honduras boosted their chances with a 3-1 win over Canada and Trinidad & Tobago held out for a goalless draw in Guatemala, despite having Cyd Gray sent off before halftime for a second bookable offence.

Mexico, who have often struggled on their visits to the Caribbean, were beaten by a 14th minute Ricardo Fuller goal in Kingston.

"The boys stuck to the game plan and it worked well for us," said Jamaica's interim coach Theodore Whitmore, brought in after Rene Simoes was fired last month.

Mexico are second in Group Two with nine points from four games and are level on points with leaders Honduras.

Jamaica, despite their win, are a further five points behind.

Carlos Costly and Hendry Thomas scored in the last half hour for Honduras, who were missing striker David Suazo through injury.

Walter Martinez had given the Central Americans a ninth minute lead in San Pedro Sula before Andrew Hainault equalized nine minutes after halftime.

CUBANS MISSING

Cuba coach Reinhold Fanz told the Washington Post that midfielder Pedro Faife, 24, and forward Reynier Alcantara, 26, disappeared from their hotel outside Washington before a practice on Friday.

Cuba's state television, blaming its "imperial" foe, the U.S., saying the pair had "betrayed the unity of their team and given in to the temptation of the empire's money."

DaMarcus Beasley scored twice to put the U.S. in control before Jensy Munoz pulled one back for Cuba.

Cuba capitulated after Yoel Colome was sent off in the 42nd minute and Landon Donovan, Bring Ching, Jozy Altidore and Oguchi Onyewu shared four more goals in the second half.

The U.S. have 12 points from four games, seven ahead of Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago who remained level on five points each after their stalemate in Guatemala City.

Walter Centeno, Celso Borges, Armando Alonso and Alonso Solis scored for Costa Rica in Paramaribo as they maintained their 100 percent record in Group Three. Clifton Sandvliet replied for Suriname.

El Salvador, second with seven points, should follow Costa Rica into the final round after drawing 0-0 in Haiti.

(Additional reporting by Anthony Boadle, Horace Helps and Carlos Calvo; Editing by Martin Petty)