San Jose, Costa Rica (My Sportsbook) - The United States dropped to second place in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Wednesday as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica at Saprissa Stadium.

Alvaro Saborio had the home side ahead inside of two minutes, while Celso Borges added a second goal in the 13th minute before Pablo Herrera scored with 20 minutes to play for Costa Rica, which has now won its last 12 qualifiers at home.

Landon Donovan scored the lone goal for the Americans from the penalty spot in stoppage time, but it wasn't enough to keep the team from losing its sixth straight qualifier to Costa Rica at the Saprissa.

It took less than two minutes for the home side to seize control as Saborio took a pass on the right wing, split two American defenders, and fired a left- footed shot past goalkeeper Tim Howard and into the upper left corner of the net.

The visitors hadn't yet recovered from the first goal when they were picking the ball out of their own net again in the 13th minute.

Esteban Sirias worked a nice one-two on the left with Bryan Ruiz, and after taking the return pass from Ruiz, Sirias slid the ball towards the penalty spot for Borges, who beat Howard with a first-time shot.

The U.S. defense was leaving too many openings in the back and they allowed Saborio a free header at the back post five minutes later that forced Howard to make a diving stop.

The game settled down a bit over the remainder of the opening half, but the Americans failed to test Costa Rican goalkeeper Navas, and Saborio found room inside the box before the break to fire over from 12 yards.

Early in the second half it was more of the same with Sirias sending a right- wing cross to the top of the six-yard box that Borges stabbed wide, while some more poor defending handed the home side a third goal with 20 minutes to play.

Herrera took the ball on the right wing and was allowed to carry the ball into the box without being closed down, and he then rolled a shot past Howard and inside the near post with plenty of space to shoot.

The U.S. was able to pull a goal back right before the final whistle as Donovan sent Navas the wrong way from the spot, but the Americans will now need to bounce back with a win on Saturday against Honduras, while Costa Rica visits Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to remain on top of the group.