October 15, 2012
WC QUALIFYING SCENARIOS
For U.S., Guatemala, Jamaica

KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- U.S. Soccer has provided the various ways the United States can qualify for the CONCACAF hexagonal round of the World Cup.

The Americans host Guatemala at Livestrong Sporting Park on Tuesday (ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET).

Both teams are tied for the Group A lead with 3-1-1 records and 10 points. Jamaica is third at 2-2-1 and seven points and goal differential. Only the top two teams will move on. The Reggae Boyz host Antigua & Barbuda (0-4-1, one) on Tuesday night.

A U.S. win

* U.S. wins Group A with 13 points and qualifies for Final Round

Guatemala finishes with 10 points and must await result of Jamaica-Antigua

U.S. tie

* U.S. finishes tied with Guatemala atop Group A with 11 points and both countries qualify for final round

U.S. loss and Jamaica tie or loss

* Guatemala wins Group A with 13 points and qualifies for the final round

* U.S. finishes in second place in Group A with 10 points and qualifies for the final round

* Jamaica finishes in third place (with seven or eight points) and does not qualify for the final round

U.S. loss and Jamaica win

* Guatemala wins Group A with 13 points and qualifies for the final round

* U.S. and Jamaica finish tied on points with 10 each and qualified team is determined with tiebreakers

Here is the tie-breaking method:

a) Greatest number of points obtained in all group matches

b) Goal difference in all group matches

c) Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings shall be determined as follows:

d) Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned

e) Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned

f) Greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned