In its third and final group stage match of the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, the U.S. took the top spot in Group A with a big win over Costa Rica.
After defeating Haiti 4-0 and Panama by a score of 8-0, the U.S. had no problem dispatching Costa Rica and book a semifinal spot, winning 6-0.
With the win, the U.S. finished the group stage 3-0-0, with three shutouts and a +18 goal differential.
The U.S. took the lead early in the 4th minute, when Christen Press connected with the upper left corner of the net for a beautiful score and the 1-0 advantage.
A goal under 5 minutes. #CP20 not about to break the streak.
Also, that was N I C E 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ZTiSWM9ixp
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 4, 2020
It didn’t take long for the U.S. to double its lead, when Lindsey Horan took a pass from Carli Lloyd and scored her fifth goal of the tournament, while Lloyd picked up her second assist of the night in the 10th minute.
3 games. 5 goals. there's no stopping Lindsey Horan right now.
ps: that Krieger-Lloyd combo of passes… just perfect. pic.twitter.com/hNxkEWZ6SF
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 4, 2020
The U.S. added to its lead in the 36th via Press’ second goal of the match, a rocket off her right foot into the corner for the 3-0 lead which they took into the half.
CHRISTEN PRESS HOW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dZYFwqXPou
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 4, 2020
The U.S. closed out the win and semifinal spot with three goals in the second half, with one from Jessica McDonald in the 77th minute and a pair of tallies by Sam Mewis in the 63rd and 82nd minutes.
Samantha Mewis has entered the chat. pic.twitter.com/3GWQImwXJ9
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 4, 2020
Right time, right place for Jess McDonald. pic.twitter.com/rXZLkB3NQf
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 4, 2020
🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/Ot9bOEHT2g
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 4, 2020
With the win, the U.S. took the top spot in Group A and will face the runner-up of Group B, Mexico. They’ll now need a win in the semifinal matchup to book their spot in the 2020 Olympics as they look to become the first team to win the World Cup and Olympics in succession.
3 Things
Christen Press is on fire
With a new coach testing different lineups and Alex Morgan out due to pregnancy, Christen Press has had a lot more opportunities to prove herself, and she’s shining in the spotlight.
Press tallied a goal apiece against Haiti and Panama and then proceeded to score twice and add an assist in the group finale, the fifth straight game in which she notched a goal.
Lots of goals
The U.S. are having no issue scoring goals thus far in the tournament, with 18 goals tallied in three games. Eight different players have scored at least one goal, while five players have multiple goals, led by five from Horan and four from Press.
Big wins, but not challenging opponents
While convincing wins and a lot of goals are fun and entertaining, the three opponents are nowhere near the level the U.S. needs to challenge themselves with the Olympics around the corner. With Canada the most likely opponent if the U.S. reaches the final, the U.S. will get to be tested against the other top team in the region. After the qualifying campaign concludes, the U.S. will host the SheBelieves Cup in March, where they will take on higher quality opponents England, Spain and Japan.
Up next
The U.S. will now turn its attention to Mexico, who they’ll face in the semifinal with an Olympic bid on the line. The game will take place at 8 p.m. MT and can be seen on FS1.
