SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Forward Brian Ching, a Kamehameha Schools alum from Haleiwa, missed the United States' World Cup qualifier at Costa Rica on Wednesday night because of an injured hamstring.

Jozy Altidore, coming off toe surgery, started at forward for the Americans along with Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. Altidore, a 19-year-old forward, scored three goals in the 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on April 1 but failed to get into a single game this year for Xerez in Spain, which obtained him on a loan from Villarreal on Jan. 30.

Marvell Wynne Jr., the son of the former major league outfielder, was at right back in place of injured Steve Cherundolo and Frankie Hejduk, and DaMarcus Beasley had his second straight start at left back.

The United States (2-0-1) led the six-team regional finals of North and Central America with seven points. Costa Rica (2-1) was one point back, followed by Honduras (1-1-1) with four points and Mexico (1-2) with three. El Salvador (0-1-2) and Trinidad and Tobago (0-1-2) have two points each.

The U.S. team was to return home after the match to play Honduras on Saturday at Chicago