PANAMA CITY, Panama, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- A goal by Cobi Jones in the final moments of the match Wednesday night allowed the United States to pull out a 1-1 tie with Panama in World Cup qualifying.
Halfway through the six-match round-robin semifinals in the North American zone, the United States leads with five points to four each for Panama and Jamaica and three for El Salvador.
The United States visits El Salvador next month and then plays Panama and Jamaica at home. The top two teams move into the final round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, which will be held in Germany.
Panama had a chance to shock the Americans when Roberto Brown scored in the 69th minute. Three minutes of injury time were announced and Jones scored in the second of those three minutes.
Jamaica defeated El Salvador Wednesday night to get to four points.
