It was a tough day for home teams on the opening day of the semifinal round of World Cup 2006 qualifying in the CONCACAF zone.
In a battle of teams that changed coaches this summer, Honduras crushed Costa Rica, 5-2, in San Jose. Canada lost to Guatemala, 2-0, at home in the other Group B game. Los Angeles Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz scored twice to give Guatemala the victory in Burnaby, B.C.
El Salvador, which faces the United States in their next game, was the only team to win at home, edging Panama, 2-1, in San Salvador.
Two late goals by Errol McFarlane gave visiting Trinidad & Tobago a 2-0 win over St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The other Group C match between Mexico and St. Kitts & Nevis was postponed because of Mexico's participation in Olympic men's soccer.
GROUP A
Jamaica 1 (Goodison 48) USA 1 (Ching 89).
El Salvador 2 (Velasquez 6, Rodriguez pen. 45) Panama 1 (Julio Cesar Dely Valdes 35).
GROUP B
Canada 0 Guatemala 2 (Ruiz 8, 55).
Costa Rica 2 (Herron 20, 36) Honduras 5 (D.Suazo 22, De Leon 35, Guevara pen. 76, Guerrero 87, S.Martinez 90).
GROUP C
St. Vincent & the Grenadines 0 Trinidad and Tobago 2 (McFarlane 79, 86).