Ching scores to salvage
1-1 tie for U.S.

KINGSTON, Jamaica >> A veteran, a star and a newcomer saved the United States against Jamaica last night.

With the entire island nation ready to celebrate the Reggae Boyz' first victory over the Americans, substitute Cobi Jones began the surge to the tying goal in his 161st national team appearance. His long cross found Landon Donovan, America's premier player, in the Jamaican penalty area.

Instead of shooting, Donovan laid the ball off to Kamehameha alumnus Brian Ching, another sub. And Ching, in his third game for the U.S. team and first in World Cup qualifying action, sent a right-footed dagger into the Jamaicans in the 89th minute for a 1-1 tie.

"I was chomping at the bit to get in," said Ching, who scored his first national team goal. "We battled hard and it was a fair result. It starts us off on the right foot."

The Americans have never lost to the Jamaicans, and at Kingston's National Stadium they have produced four ties.

Still, the Americans couldn't find the tying score until the dying moments, when substitutes Jones and Ching came through.