Jamaica, U.S. battle to a draw

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Jamaica failed to advance in World Cup qualifying, tying the United States 1-1 Wednesday in a game the Reggae Boyz needed to win.
For the Americans, the match was merely a tuneup and a chance to give several young players World Cup qualifying experience. The Americans, who got a goal from Eddie Johnson, won a spot in next year's six-team regional finals with a 6-0 win over Panama last month.
Panama advanced to the regional finals with a 3-0 win over El Salvador on Wednesday.
U.S. score
Johnson scored in the 15th minute for the Americans on a lofting pass from Pablo Mastroeni. Andy Williams tied the score in the 27th minute on a penalty kick.
The Jamaicans played with the ferocity of a team that had everything to lose, winning the ball in the air and challenging the U.S. defense in the second half by pulling all of their players up the field.
Wet grass -- there had been heavy rain all day -- contributed to the physical play that dominated throughout. There were 38 fouls -- 13 for the Americans and 26 for Jamaica.
Jamaica would have advanced with a win, or a tie coupled with a Panama tie or loss. The Reggae Boyz were seeking to return to the World Cup after qualifying in 1998 and falling short in 2002.
Up-and-comer Johnson scored for the fifth time in three games. Mastroeni lofted a pass over the Jamaican defense line, and Johnson gave the ball a quick tap with his right foot then knocked it past diving goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts with his left.
Johnson, 20, a forward on the MLS' Dallas Burn, has scored five goals in only 61 minutes of play on the U.S. team.
The Jamaicans evened the score after a defensive miscue by an American player making his first World Cup qualifying appearance.
Ramiro Corrales threw himself in front of Ricardo Fuller to break up a run to the goal. Williams' penalty kick sailed low, past a diving Kasey Keller.
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