USA have ended any hope that Jamaica had of reaching their first World Cup since their only appearance in 1998.
The Reggae Boyz were without a win in six and sat bottom of the the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, but they could still have qualified for the playoffs with a win at Sporting Park, Kansas.
It was all square at half time but a goal from Graham Zusi on his home patch and another from Sunderland's Jozy Altidore in the second half secured a 2-0 win for Jurgen Klinsmann's team.
The States have already booked their place in Brazil, while Costa Rica and almost certainly Honduras look likely to join them in South America next year.
Tonight's result means that now Mexico and Panama are battling to qualify for a playoff, which would pit them against New Zealand - the winners of the Oceania region.
Michael Penkman
