U.S. beats Costa Rica in World Cup qualifier
Midfielder Landon Donovan scored two goals as the United States defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in Salt Lake City on Saturday in a qualifying match for next year's World Cup.

The victory put the United States (3-1) in second place in the North and Central American and Caribbean region with nine points after four of 10 qualifying games. Mexico (3-0-1) leads the group with 10 points.

It wasn't until the 38th minute that Costa Rica (1-2-1) had its first shot, and Douglas Sequeira beat Keller in the 40th, only to have the apparent goal disallowed because teammate Alonso Solís was offside.

Costa Rica pressured offensively early in the second half, but Keller made two key saves, stopping Jafet Soto by going to his right in the 47th, then getting his left hand on a shot by Soto in the 60th.

DaMarcus Beasley, who partially tore a left knee ligament on April 29, returned to the U.S. lineup, but Costa Rica played physically and repeatedly knocked him down.

Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Guatemala (1-2-1) are tied for third place with four points, and Panama (0-2-2) is last with two points.

The top three teams qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The fourth-place team faces a playoff against an Asian team for another spot.

The next round of regional qualifying matches is on Wednesday, when the United States visits Panama, Mexico hosts Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala is at Costa Rica.