Purdy’s El Salvador Progress in World Cup

Portland Timbers defender Steve Purdy played an instrumental part in keeping El Salvador’s World Cup hopes on track.

He played the entire 90 minutes in the André-Kamperveen Stadium in Suriname’s capital Paramaribo as his side won 3-1.

Mark Balcon scored twice and Ramon Sanchez added the third before a late consolation by Evan Esperance.

With 15 points from 5 games in Group A, the Salvadoreans are now assured of progress to the next round on the tournament, where the larger CONCACAF sides will enter.

Purdy’s side will face Mexico, Guyana and Costa Rica at that stage.

Not such good news for Canada who failed to register a goal against the amateurs of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The point from a 0-0 draw does see them through to the next stage where their group will contain Honduras, Cuba and Panama in a six-match series.

The USA face Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and Guatemala in Group A.