[CONCACAF UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP] The USA had a chance to clinch Sunday to clinch a berth at the 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, but it was badly outplayed by Honduras and had to settle for a 0-0 tie that means it must earn at least a point against El Salvador on Tuesday to qualify unless Jamaica and Honduras tie.

UCLA goalie Brian Perk saved the Americans with several big-time stops against Honduras. After a first half marred by a power outage, the Catrachos piled on the pressure. Honduras finished with a 11-3 edge in shots and 11-2 edge in corner kicks.

The Americans played the last 30 minutes with 10 men after midfielder Billy Schuler, who had entered the game just minutes earlier, was issued a straight red card for a tackle against Jose Israel Fonseca. The USA has beaten Honduras in only one of eight U-20 meetings.

"As we had anticipated, the game against Honduras was very tough," said U.S. coach Thomas Rongen. "We are happy that we were able to put ourselves in a good position to determine our own fate heading into our last game against El Salvador."

The USA had opened with a 3-0 win over Jamaica thanks to goals by Peri Marosevic, Dilly Duka and Schuler. It is looking to secure a berth in a record seventh straight Under-20 World Cup.

March 6 in Bacolet
USA 3 Jamaica 0. Goals: Marosevic 6, Duka 79, Schuler 84.
USA -- Perk, S.Williams, Agbossoumonde, Davies, Wallace (Flores, 84), Jeffrey, Duka, Arguez (Okugo, 71), Cruz,  Marosevic (Schuler, 79), Shea.
Jamaica -- Blake, Simpson, Darby, L.Williams, A.Campbell, Taylor, Shelton (Thorpe, 50), R.Campbell (Clennon, 81), Doyley, Orgill, Sappleton (Adlam, 50).
Yellow cards: USA -- Wallace 23, Davies 90; Jamaica -- Orgill 1.
Referee: Ricardo Cerdas (Costa Rica).
Att.: 556.

March 8 in Bacolet
USA 0 Honduras 0.
USA -- Perk, Williams, Agbossoumonde, Davies, Wallace, Jeffrey, Duka, Arguez (Schuler, 53), Cruz (Ownby, 58), Marosevic, Shea
Honduras -- Reyes, Castro, Casildo, Fonseca, M.Martinez, Mayorquin, Andino, Rojas (Valladares, 83), R.Martinez (Padilla, 54), Leveron, Mejia.
Yellow cards: USA -- Jeffrey 29, Wallace 57, Duka 69; Honduras -- Andino 17, M.Martinez 76.
Red card: USA -- Schuler 60.
Referee: Geoffrey Hospedales (Trin. & Tobago).
Att.: 524.