RIO DE JANEIRO. Nov 10 (Reuters): The United States qualified for next year's World Cup on Sunday. Jamaica were left on the brink of clinching a berth and Coata Rica were eliminated despite a heroic draw in Mexico.

The Americans beat Canada 3-0 away, a result which, com-

bined with El Salvador's failure to beat Jamaica in San Salvador. was enough to earn them a place at their third successive World Cup finals.

Jamaica shrugged off the presence of a rowdy crowd in front of their hotel on the eve of the game to hold out for a 2-2 draw away to El Salvador, they now need one point at home to Mexico next week to make their World Cup debut.

The Caribbean team, who would have qualified Sunday with a win. were leading 2-1 with two minutes left but were forced to delay their celebrations when Waldir Guerria scored a dramatic equaliser for El Salvador.

Costa Rica came from 3-1 down to snatch a 3-3 draw away to Mexico, which after the draw left them with a faint chance of qualifying, but subsequent results made it impossible for them to finish in the top three of the CONCACAF zone standings.

After Sunday's games. Mexico, who qualifier! last week, lead the group with 17 points.

followed by the USA (14). Jamaica (13). El Salvador (10). Costa Rica (9) and Canada (6). Three teams go to France.

In Burnaby. BC the Americans. coming of a huge 0-0 draw in Mexico City, were led by recently recalled forward Roy Wegerle. who scored two second-half goals and set up an early goal Tor Claudio Reyna, making a triumphant return after serving a suspension.

The match with the eliminated Canadians was played before a sparse crowed of 8,420 at Swangard Stadium with a strong contingent of vocal US supporters.

■This was a great result today." said Wegerle. "Everyone

was working hard and I got some great balls. All I had to do was finish."

The United States set the tone early, scoring in Just the fifth minute. Joe-Max Moore headed a ball to Wegerle from the left side of the box. giving him space to carry across before sliding a pass to Reyna, who slotted home from 12 metres.

Canada came close at the

13th minute when Alex Bunbury fired from 25 metres, but US goalkeeper Brad Friedel smothered the ball at the right post.

Erick Wynalda was denied a scoring chance in the 28th minute, two minutes after coming away from a collision with Canadian defender Jason Devos that left him with a mildly separated shoulder.

Players from English Premiership side Derby County, meanwhile, got on the scoresheet in both San Salvador and Mexico City.

Deon Burton headed. Jamaica's equaliser Just,four minutes after Brazilian-born Nlldenson Silva de Mello had forgotten his differences with his coach to give El Salvador a 47th-minute lead.

De Mello had been reinstated last week by Serb Milovan D'Joric after previously leaving the team without permission.

Donaldo Stewart put Jamaica in front with 12 minutes left but Guerria's late strike forced them to postpone celebrations. El Salvador can only qualify if they beat the United States away next week while Jamaica lose.

Paulo Ces$r Wanchope. another Derby playty, scored four minutes from time as Costa Rica, who had not scored in their previous four qualifiers, fired in three goals in just overhalf an hour during a dramatic second-half comeback.

The dropped points led to another chorus of Jeers for Mexico, held 0-0 by the United States a home last week.

The result could cost Mexico coach former US coach Bora Milutinovic his job. His contract is due to be reviewed by the Mexican federation later this month.