In the wake of that disappointing 2-1 loss to Jamaica Friday night, a very good friend of mine repeated the phrase, "If they win Tuesday, all will be fine" several times.

The USA needed only 38 seconds to get down to business at The Office, but Clint Dempsey's goal, the fastest U.S. goal ever scored in World Cup qualifying history, raised false hope that Jurgen Klinsmann's depleted team could get a result against Jamaica. The USA had no answer for Rodolph Austin, the best player on the field, and the 2-1 loss was inevitable. The result snapped the USA's 18-game unbeaten streak against Jamaica, and its manner also raised serious concerns about what lies ahead in Concacaf, where the USA's ability to get results on …

Okay, USA, this is what is needed to prove progress has been made. Yes, it's "only" the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, and the opponent for the next two games, Jamaica, has reached the finals only once, in 1998. and it must be said that aside from Theodore Whitmore -- the midfield orchestrator 14 years ago, the head coach today -- the times have certainly changed.

Qualifiers in Kingston are normally tight affairs, but the meeting Friday between host Jamaica and the USA might be an exception. Simply put, this Jamaican team is not all that solid defensively and can be exploited by the USA despite the absence of Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley, and a Clint Dempsey short of match fitness.

With several teams getting hot in the final portion of the season the final weeks look to be intense even if most of the playoff spots are already locked up.

Chivas USA defender Danny Califf has seen too many games this season like the 4-0 loss to San Jose Sunday night. Even so, a team that hadn't conceded any goals directly from free kicks this season found a new wrinkle to go along with its recurring problem of converting opportunities. The Quakes scored three of their goals on free kicks -- two by left back Ramiro Corrales -- to win going away at Buck Shaw Stadium, where they are unbeaten (9-0-3) this season.