With just three games remaining in the final round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, here is a recap of how Dynamo internationals fared on Friday and what they face tonight.
Boniek Garcia, Honduras: The dynamic Dynamo midfielder started for Honduras in its historic 2-1 win over Mexico at the Azteca on Friday night. Garcia earned his 86th cap and played 60 minutes before exiting two minutes after receiving a yellow card. Honduras received goals from New England Revolution forward Jerry Bengtson in the 64th minute and the game-winner from former Dynamo striker Carlo Costly just two minutes later.
With the road win, Honduras is in great position to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. It is in third place with 10 points and “controls its own destiny” with three games remaining, including two home games. If Honduras wins its final three games, it will automatically qualify. It will also qualify if it stays above Mexico (8 points) and Panama (7 points). If Honduras slips to fourth place in the final standings, it will play New Zealand, the winner of the Oceania federation, in a two-leg playoff in November for the final place in the World Cup.
Honduras hosts Panama tonight and Costa Rica on October 11 before completing the qualifying round with a road game at Jamaica on October 15.
Among players in the current squad for Los Catrachos, Garcia has the fourth most appearances (86).
STANDINGS: View the current CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying standings
Jermaine Taylor, Jamaica: The Houston defender played 90 minutes for Jamaica in its 0-0 draw at Panama on Friday. The road point was extra impressive considering the Reggae Boyz played down a man for the final 32 minutes after Rodolph Austin was sent off in the 58th minute. Jamaica’s draw helped every other country in the group, as it kept Panama in fifth place with three games remaining.
Tonight, Jamaica hosts Costa Rica in Kingston with ambitions to give the Ticos a long night at the Office. Jamaica will finish qualifying with a road game against the United States on October 11 and a home game against Honduras four days later.
Among players in the current squad for Jamaica, Taylor has the third most appearances (72).
Brad Davis, United States: The Dynamo captain traveled to Columbus, Ohio on Saturday as an addition to the American roster ahead of tonight’s crucial match against Mexico. Davis was a substitute in two of three June World Cup Qualifying wins for the United States: a 1-0 triumph over Honduras and 2-0 victory over Panama. Davis also came off the bench in a 4-3 friendly win over Germany and started a 4-2 friendly loss against Belgium. Davis made his World Cup Qualifying debut in a 0-0 draw at Mexico on March 26.
Davis could play a crucial role tonight for the U.S. as it tries to clinch a spot in its seventh consecutive World Cup. A U.S. win over Mexico, combined with a Honduras win or tie against Panama would clinch a berth in the 2014 World Cup.
