The U.S. men's soccer team is headed to South Africa for a chance to redeem itself in the World Cup.

Conor Casey scored his first two international goals in the second half, Landon Donovan added another and the United States clinched its sixth consecutive World Cup berth with a game to spare by rallying past host Honduras, 3-2, last night in San Pedro Sula.

"We did a good job," Donovan said. "We're going to South Africa."

In one of the most thrilling end-to-end matches the U.S. team has played in many years, the Americans took a 3-1 lead before Honduras closed on Julio Cesar De Leon's second goal of the game.

Carlos Pavon had a chance to tie following a hand ball in the penalty area by Jonathan Spector. But Pavon put his penalty kick over the crossbar in the 87th minute, then fired high on an open header from in front in the 89th.

Coming off a first-round elimination at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the United States (6-2-1) is first in North and Central America and the Caribbean with 19 points and assured of one of three automatic berths that to go to the top finishers in the region.

"We're very proud," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "We understand the responsibility we have every time we step on the field for our fans, for our country."

Mexico (6-3) also clinched yesterday and has 18 points after a 4-1 victory over visiting El Salvador. Costa Rica (5-4) moved into third with 15 points after winning at home against Trinidad and Tobago.

Honduras (4-4-1), seeking its second World Cup appearance and first since 1982, has 13 points and dropped into fourth. If the Catrachos are still in that spot after the final match at El Salvador Wednesday, they would meet the No. 5 nation from South America in a playoff.

n Portugal 3, Hungary 0: Portugal took a big step toward finishing second in its World Cup qualifying group and earning a berth in the European playoffs, defeating Hungary in Lisbon, Portugal, as Simao Sabrosa scored twice and Liedson had one goal.

n Ukraine 1, England 0: Ukraine strengthened its chances of qualifying for the World Cup, beating Group 6 winner England on a goal by Serhiy Nazarenko in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.

n Ireland 2, Italy 2: Italy came from behind and clinched a World Cup berth with a tie against Ireland in Dublin. Reserve forward Alberto Gilardino scored in the 90th minute for the Azzurri (6-0-3), who won Group Eight with 21 points. Ireland (4-0-5) is four points back with one to go and will finish second, earning a spot in the European playoffs.

n France 5, Faroe Island 0: France clinched a berth in next month's European playoffs for World Cups berths, routing the Faroe Islands in Guingamp, France.

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