USA Qualifying Result: Costa Rica 3 USA 2

Costa Rica has defeated the U.S. 3-2 in their World Cup qualifying match at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in San Jose.

The U.S. equalized for a second time in the 68th minute, when substitute Roy Lassiter (who once starred in the Costa Rican First Division) intercepted a lateral pass in front of the Tico box, and drove a right-footed shot past the keeper to make it 2-2.

The U.S. was in position to grab a crucial away point, but the Ticos burned the porous American defense again in the 76th minute. Harold Wallace drove into the box and froze Alexi Lalas before dishing off to Ronald Gomez, who poked the ball home from just inside six yards.

The Ticos are now joint leaders of the Hexagonal with Mexico and the U.S., but Mexico leads on goal difference.

Cobi Jones received a yellow card late in the match — it was his second card of qualifying and he will be suspended for the U.S.-Mexico match at Foxboro Stadium in April.