US tops World Cup qualifying group as Bornstein caps rally with late goal against Costa Rica

Bornstein’s late header gives US 2-2 tie

WASHINGTON — Jonathan Bornstein headed in a corner kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie against Costa Rica on Wednesday night that put Honduras in next year’s World Cup.

Bryan Ruiz scored twice in a four minute-span midway through the first half, but Michael Bradley cut the U.S. deficit in the 72nd minute. With the United States playing a man short following an injury to Oguchi Onyewu and Costa Rica less just 20 seconds or so from qualifying, Bornstein headed in Robbie Rogers’ corner kick from about 7 yards.

At the end, U.S. players held up a banner with the number “9” of teammate Charlie Davies, who was seriously injured in a car crash Tuesday and is unlikely to play in next year’s World Cup.

While the United States topped North and Central America and the Caribbean for the second straight qualifying cycle and Honduras qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1982, Costa Rica faces a two-game playoff next month against Uruguay.