San Pedro Sula, Honduras (My Sportsbook) - Conor Casey had two goals, Landon Donovan had a goal and an assist, Honduras missed a potential tying penalty in the closing minutes, and the United States sealed a spot in the 2010 World Cup with a 3-2 win Saturday night.

Casey, a surprise starter, scored the first two goals for the U.S. and Donovan added the eventual match-winner, as the Americans scored three straight goals in the second half after falling behind at Francisco Morazan Stadium.

Julio Leon scored in the 47th and 78th for Honduras, but Carlos Pavon drilled the penalty kick well over the bar in the 87th, as the U.S. held on to qualify for its sixth consecutive World Cup finals.

The U.S. remained in first place the final CONCACAF qualifying group with just one game to play. Mexico also clinched a berth in the World Cup with a 4-1 win over El Salvador on Saturday.

Honduras had the first good chance of the match midway through the first half, but Carlos Costly wasted a breakaway when he fired wide of the left post. The Hondurans created the chance on a long ball by defender Maynor Figueroa that found Costly behind the U.S. defense.

Costly chested the ball down and had a one-on-one chance against U.S. goalie Tim Howard but, with both corners open, drove his 12-yard shot inches wide.

The U.S. had its best chance of the opening half about five minutes later when Stuart Holden drove a cross in from the right wing to Charlie Davies. The U.S. striker headed toward the right post, but Honduras goalie Noel Valladares dove to knock it down and Davies fired the rebound high with the net empty.

Honduras grabbed the lead out of the break after U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu gave away a free kick just outside the area. Julio Leon took the attempt, and he drove the ball over the U.S. defense and into the upper left to give Howard no chance.

The U.S. equalized just over 10 minutes later when Onyewu sent a long pass to Davies, who headed the ball into the area. Casey charged in and collided with Valladares to head the ball into an empty net from seven yards out.

The Americans put Honduras on its heels with the tying goal, and Donovan freed Casey for a one-on-one chance in the 65th that lead to the striker's second of the match.

Donovan split two Honduras defenders in the middle of the field with a through ball to Casey and, after he got Valladares on the ground, adjusted and shot to the bottom-right corner from 15 yards out. Casey earned the start in place of Jozy Altidore, but carried his MLS form of 15 goals into the crucial World Cup qualifier.

The United States continued to attack and Donovan added the third goal in the 69th off a well-hit free kick, capping a stretch of just over 11 minutes where the American scored all three goals.

Donovan drove the free kick from 20 yards out on the left side of the top of the area toward the upper right, and with Valladares making his first step to the opposite post, the ball sailed into the corner to hand the U.S. a two-goal lead.

Honduras, which lost for the first time at home in qualifying, didn't go down easily. Leon cut the deficit in half in the 78th after Howard was caught off his line. Leon accepted a pass from the right and, as Howard tried to scramble back in front of the net, picked out the left side.

Pavon nearly leveled the match minutes later but had his first potential tying goal waved off for offside and then wasted a golden opportunity on the penalty kick.

The penalty was set up when Onyewu tried to clear a ball out of danger and it bounced off the ground and into the arm of U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra. The penalty was immediately rewarded, but Pavon launched the spot kick high to the delight of Howard and the rest of the Americans.

Pavon had one last chance to make up for his miss but, on another open look in the area, headed over the bar from just six yards out.

The United States ends qualifying Wednesday against Costa Rica, which moved up to third with a 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Honduras visits El Salvador in need of a win to have a chance to automatically qualify for the World Cup in South Africa. The fourth-place team plays a two- match, home-and-home series against the fifth-place South American team, with the winner also advancing to the Cup finals.