International Notebook: Palmer helps Jamaica advance in World Cup qualifying

Team Jamaica did what they had to: beat Antigua and Barbuda by at least a two-goal margin. They did just that with a two-goal performance from Vancouver Whitecaps striker Dane Richards and one each from Demar Phillips and defender Nyron Nowrothy, as Jamaica shutdown Antigua and Barbuda with a 4-1 win at the National Stadium in Kingston. Timbers midfielder/defender Lovel Palmer started and played the full 90 minutes for the Reggae Boyz in helping them defeat the Benna Boys from A&B.

Coming into the match, Jamaica's chances of moving onto the hexagonal round looked slim as they suffered a 2-1 loss on Sunday, placing them in third place in Group B with 7 points; three points behind the U.S. and Guatemala who were tied at the top with 10 each. But the Yanks helped out as a bit. Their 3-1 win over Guatemala in Kansas City along with the Reggae Boyz' goal scoring outburst put them past La Azul y Blanco on goal differential.

Timbers midfielder/defender Rodney Wallace and Costa Rica sealed safe passage to CONCACAF’s final round of World Cup qualifying as well last night with a 7-0 hammering of Guyana at Estadio Nacional in San Jose.

After earning an imperative 1-0 victory on the road against El Salvador on Oct. 12 to reignite their World Cup qualifying hopes, the Ticos conjured up another inspired performance with the likes of Real Salt Lake striker Alvaro Saborio and Randall Brenes both scoring a pair of goals.

After coming on for Saborio in the later stages of the Ticos’ win over El Salvador, the Timbers’ Wallace, who also appeared in both of Costa Rica’s Group B games against Mexico, did not feature for Costa Rica against Guyana.

Wallace has amassed nine caps for his country (three in World Cup Qualifiers) since making his international debut on Sept. 2, 2011, when he scored the game-winning goal in a friendly against the United States. 

Unfortunately for Timbers defender Steve Purdy, yesterday marked the end of El Salvador's World Cup qualifying campaign as they lost 2-0 to Mexico in San Salvador.

With mostly alternative lineup by Mexico, strikers Oribe Peralta and Javier Balcázar tallied the two goals for Mexico while Purdy started and played a full 90 minutes in the match.  

Timbers defender Steve Purdy started and played a full 90 minutes in the match.