The United States' Sheanon Williams trips over the outstretched leg of Canadian defender William Hyde in their CONCACAF Under-17 final round qualification game at the National Stadium yesterday. The United States won 2-1. -Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

THE UNITED States moved one step closer to booking their ticket to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in South Korea following a 2-1 victory over Canada at the National Stadium yesterday.

However, their coach, John Hackworth, expects a tough match when the team plays hosts Jamaica in their upcoming fixture tomorrow night. "Jamaica will be a difficult game. They are playing at home and it is always tough whenever the teams meet," Hackworth said.

The win, the second in a row for the Stars and Stripes, who opened with a 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, saw them move to six points. The triumph also saw the regional powerhouse extend their unbeaten streak at that level to 17 games, as they stayed on course for a 12th consecutive youth World Cup berth.

The U.S. dominated play in the first half and took the lead in the 10th minute when William Schuler ran on to a through ball to blast past Canada custodian Adam Street from a tough angle. They moved further ahead in the 23rd minute through captain Mykell Bates, who eventually fired home a poorly cleared ball which had bobbled about awkwardly in the area.

The Maple Leafs never looked a beaten team and began the second half with a wave of positive possession. They would reap their reward through Cedric Carrie who netted in the 53nd minute and the side had several other opportunities to pull level as it pressured a tiring U.S. team.

In the late game last night, Jamaica were taking on Costa Rica.