Washington - AFP
Jamaica surprised the United States 2-1 to seize the Group A lead on Friday as Mexico moved closer to the final round of 2014 World Cup qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) region. Goals from Rodolph Austin and Luton Shelton overcame Clint Dempsey’s first-minute strike for the Americans as Jamaica posted their first victory over the US in 19 matches. Dempsey’s goal 36 seconds into the match was the fastest for the United States in World Cup qualifying, confounding predictions that he would show some rust in his first competitive match since June. The top two teams from each of the three groups advance to the final round of regional qualifying next year.