US beat Mexico to go top of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying

CINCINNATI - Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie scored late as the United States rose to the top of the North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) zone World Cup qualifying standings with a 2-0 home win over Mexico on Friday.

Mexico began brightly and the US had Zack Steffen to thank for not conceding an early goal as the Manchester City goalkeeper made several fine saves.

But the US regrouped after halftime and Pulisic broke the visitors' resistance in the 74th minute when he headed home following a Timothy Weah cross from the right flank.

McKennie doubled the lead 11 minutes later when he swept home an angled finish after the ball rebounded off a Mexico defender's leg and fell fortuitously into his path.

The hosts finished the match with just 10 men after central defender Miles Robinson was sent off for a second booking in the 89th minute.

The result means the US are now top of the standings in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 14 points from seven games, ahead of Mexico on goal difference.

In other matches on Friday, Jamaica drew 1-1 away to El Salvador, Canada won 1-0 at home to Costa Rica and Honduras fell to a 3-2 home defeat to Panama.