Gomez lifts U.S. to key win vs. Jamaica

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Spurred on by a roaring crowd decked out in red, white and blue, the U.S. men's soccer team used all of that emotion as fuel to pull off a significant World Cup qualifying victory.

The United States rebounded from a loss at Jamaica four nights earlier and moved back into a tie for its group lead by beating the Reggae Boyz 1-0 Tuesday night as Herculez Gomez - a former Las Vegas High standout - curled in a free kick in the 55th minute.

It was a night when the only respite from the din from a capacity crowd of 23,881 was the moment of silence before the game in remembrance of the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"That was an awesome homecoming," Gomez said afterward, almost drowned out as fans left Crew Stadium chanting and cheering. "You couldn't ask for more. The crowd was great, and the guys fed off of it."

The U.S., which made five changes to its starting lineup from Friday's 2-1 loss in Kingston, is tied with Guatemala (2-1-1) at seven points atop Group A of the North and Central American and Caribbean semifinals. Jamaica (2-1-1) also has seven points but trails on goal difference.

Mexico, in Group B, beat visiting Costa Rica 1-0 to move to 4-0 and become the first team to reach next year's six-team CONCACAF regional finals, which will produce three qualifiers for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Seeking its seventh straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. plays at virtually eliminated Antigua and Barbuda on Oct. 12, then completes the semis four days later against Guatemala at Kansas City, Kan.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann celebrated the win - then moved onto the next hurdle.

"We know it's not done yet," he said. "We know it's down to the wire. That's what World Cup qualifiers are about."

After U.S. shots hit the frame three times in a dominant first half as Jamaica goalkeeper Dwayne Miller made several sparkling saves, the Americans went ahead following a foul by Rodolph Austin on Clint Dempsey. Gomez's drive from 28 yards went over the defensive wall and to the left of a diving Miller, who was only able to lightly brush the ball with his fingertips.

"That was my distance," Gomez said with a grin.

The rowdy, partisan crowd - exactly what U.S. team officials were expecting - chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" all night, but particularly while the American players came to the stands to thank fans after the victory.

In other qualifying matches, Spain opened defense of its World Cup title with a 1-0 win at Georgia on Roberto Soldado's 86th-minute goal, while England stumbled to a 1-1 tie at home against Ukraine.

Spain, the world and European champion, has won 23 consecutive qualifiers since 2007.

Italy, Germany and Portugal all failed to impress despite victories on the second day of European qualifying.

South American leader Argentina (4-1-2) rallied for a 1-1 tie at Peru.