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Mexico survived some nervy moments to take all three points in a 1-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Tuesday in Port of Spain. Joevin Jones had a controversial goal called back for offside in the first half after rushing on to a well-played through ball and smashing it into the back of the net past Alfredo Talavera. Replays showed Jones looked to be onside. Mexico came out of the dressing room after half-time with renewed fervor, and Hector Herrera hit the post with a low, curling shot in the 47th minute. Just over 10 minutes later, El Tri would find its opener when Diego Reyes rose to meet a Miguel Layun corner kick and powered a header into Jan Michael Williams' goal. Javier Hernandez, seeking a record 47th goal for the national team, nearly scored in the 66th minute from a Carlos Vela pass into the penalty area, but the Bayer Leverkusen striker slipped on his cutback attempt before firing wide from his knees. Jones had another chance from a free kick in the 76th minute after being hauled down outside Mexico's penalty area, but the Seattle Sounders FC player hit a well-hit shot straight into the wall. The win sees Mexico stay atop the Hexagonal table and will return to action at the start of June for its next two qualifiers against Honduras and the United States. The United States hung on to earn a valuable point away from home in a 1-1 draw against Panama in Panama City. Coming off an impressive 6-0 win against Honduras, the Americans -- beset by injuries -- looked sluggish in the heat and humidity of Panama. Alberto Quintero had Panama's best chance of the first half in the 32nd minute, getting free in the U.S. penalty area and firing a shot that fortunately for the Americans went right at goalkeeper Tim Howard. An incredible effort from Christian Pulisic led to the opener for the U.S., as the Borussia Dortmund midfielder turned Panama over in its own area, spun and played a perfect ball to Clint Dempsey who blasted home past Jaime Penedo. The goal seemed to embolden Panama, though, as the hosts poured forward and leveled from a long throw that bounced off defender Tim Ream and right to the feet of Gabriel Gomez who smashed an outside of the foot volley into Tim Howard's goal to send it to the break at 1-1. Howard was called into action 15 minutes into the second half after Roman Torres headed a lofted ball to the feet of Luis Tejada, but the veteran U.S. keeper came up with a crucial save from close range to keep the score level. With the U.S. looking content to settle for a single point, Tejada had a golden chance to turn the tables, but after being set up from 12 yards out he skied his first-time shot well over the goal. The draw leaves Bruce Arena's team in fourth place behind Panama after taking four points in its last two games. Next up in Hexagonal qualifying for the U.S. is a pair of June matches against Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico. Honduras bounced back from a lopsided loss against the United States last Friday to draw 1-1 with Costa Rica in San Pedro Sula. Anthony Lozano put back his own rebound in the 35th minute after his first attempt was denied by Keylor Navas to give the hosts a first-half lead. But Costa Rica pulled level in the second half, when Kendall Waston headed home a Christian Bolanos cross following a corner. The point provisionally puts Costa Rica top of the CONCACAF table, pending the result of Mexico's match against Trinidad and Tobago later in the day.
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