JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP):

THE UNITED STATES will open the final round of regional qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup at home against old rival Mexico, and conclude their campaign against Costa Rica, also on home soil.

The other three teams in CONCACAF'S qualifying tourna-ment, played between next February and October, are El Salvador, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago. The top three advance to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the No. 4 team meets South America's fifth-place nation in a home-and-home playoff for another berth.

US coach Bob Bradley was upbeat after yesterday's draw, a low-key event conducted a few hours ahead of FIFA's draw for next year's Confederations Cup.

Expectation

"The expectation is always that the last round will be very competitive and certainly when you look at this schedule, opening at home with Mexico and finishing at home with Costa Rica, it's a good test."

The United States and Costa Rica had an easy passage to the final qualifying round but Mexico, coached by former England trainer Sven-Goran Eriksson, struggled in their away matches and only managed a draw against lowly Canada.

Bradley played down Eriksson's troubles.

"It's just the proof that all around the world qualifying is competitive. Especially when you play games on the road, you take nothing for granted," he said. "We have a great deal of respect for Mexico. They have a very good team."