Honduras pipped Costa Rica to the third and final automatic qualifying spot for the 2010 World Cup after the Costa Ricans conceded a dramatic injury-time equaliser against the USA.
The Ticos had looked to be cruising to the third and final guaranteed qualification berth when they went 2-0 up in the first half of their clash with the US in Washington DC.
But Michael Bradley pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, and Jonathan Bornstein sealed a point for the US with a header five minutes into added time.
The result meant that the USA, and not Mexico, finished on top of the CONCACAF zone table. The Mexicans were held to a 2-2 draw in Port of Spain by bottom-of-the-table Trinidad and Tobago.
Honduras pipped Costa Rica to third spot, thanks to a 1-0 win against El Salvador in San Salvador. Veteran striker Carlos Pavon scored the only goal of the game to book his nation's first World Cup finals appearance since 1982.
And Costa Rica's misery was completed when they went down 2-1 on aggregate to Uruguay in their play-off.
