The U.S. appeared to be cruising towards the finals in Japan and South Korea but have lost their last two games.

Another defeat in San Jose, where they have been beaten on their last three visits for qualifying matches, will leave them struggling.

If Honduras and Mexico both win - they play Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago respectively - it could leave the U.S. out of the top three places in the final round of the CONCACAF qualifying competition. The top three teams go to Japan and South Korea next year.

Last weekend's matches, in which Costa Rica, Mexico and Honduras secured away wins against Trinidad, Jamaica and the United States respectively, left Costa Rica on the brink of clinching a place in the finals.

The Ticos, whose only previous World Cup appearance was in 1990 when they reached the second round after shock wins over Sweden and Scotland, lead with 16 points.

They are followed by the United States (13), Honduras (11), Mexico (10), Jamaica (8) and Trinidad (1). Each team has three games to play.

Free-scoring Honduras, who have hit 12 goals in their last four qualifying matches, will be banking on three points against Jamaica, who rarely do well on their visits to Central America.

The Jamaicans appear out of the running after failing to win any of their last three games at home, traditionally their strong point.

Honduras, who have skill in midfield and tremendous pace in attack, nave been buoyed by their performance in the Copa America where they accepted a last-minute invitation to replace Argentina and finished third after knocking out Brazil in the quarter-finals.