The United States women’s national team beat Costa Rica 3-0 on Thursday to advance to the CONCACAF Women’s Soccer Championship final in Monterrey, Mexico, where they will face Canada in a rematch in the semifinals of the Olympics last summer.
Having secured a spot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the semi-finals of the tournament, the Americans are now lining up to secure a spot at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris if they can. can win the W championship on Monday night.
– Women’s Euros: News and features | Furniture and results | Tables
– Kassouf: Is the World Cup Next for Sofia Huerta’s USWNT?
The USWNT lost 1-0 to eventual gold medalist Canada in the semifinals of the delayed COVID-19 Olympics last summer in Tokyo.
The US kept Costa Rica under pressure for the first half hour and finally scored the first goal when Emily Sonnett poked the ball over the line after a frantic challenge in front of the net.
Rose Lavelle’s clever back pass into the area gave Mallory Pugh a clear view of Costa Rica’s goal just before half-time, and the American No. 9 made no mistake with her finish to send the team through. Vlatko Andonovski’s lead 2-0 at the break. .
Sophia Smith missed an excellent opportunity just before 60 minutes, hitting long distance from close range after a good United States play on the left.
Ashley Sanchez added a third goal for the USWNT in stoppage time of the second half. The next USWNT will play against Canada, who defeated Jamaica 3-0 in the other semi-final, in the CONCACAF W title match on Monday night.
The United States has won the past two World Cups, but they are heading into next summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand with a different look. Andonovski has focused on developing young talent since winning a bronze medal at the Olympics last year, and rising players, including Smith and Pugh, have disrupted the starting lineup.
Several veterans remain, including Alex Morgan and Becky Sauerbrunn, both of whom start on Thursday. Morgan had the best chance in the team early on with one of her chances, a left-footed shot, wide to the left after 13 minutes.
For Costa Rica, Noelia Bermudez had his first game in goal. Costa Rica won its first two group stage matches before losing to Canada 2-0 on Monday.
In addition to 4 direct slots at the World Cup, the team ranked 3rd in 2 groups at the W Championship, Panama and Haitianadvance to the intercontinental playoffs in February in New Zealand.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
