Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - The U.S. women's national team punched its
ticket for the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica
in the semifinals of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.
After outscoring its three opponents in the group stage by a combined score of
31-0, the Americans ran into a determined Costa Rica side that made them work
for their place in London.
Tobin Heath put the U.S. in front after 16 minutes, but it wasn't until the
72nd minute that the berth looked secure as Carli Lloyd added a second goal
before Alex Morgan tallied one of her own in the closing minutes.
The opening goal arrived from a corner kick as Lauren Cheney played the ball
to the back post for Shannon Boxx, who sent a header on target.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Erika Miranda got a palm to the ball, but Heath was on
hand to head it over the goal line and put the U.S. in front.
The lead almost disappeared 11 minutes later when a shot from Costa Rica's
Karol Sanchez struck the crossbar, leaving the two teams separated by a goal
at the break.
However, the Americans began to take charge of the game in the second half and
doubled their advantage when Abby Wambach sent a chip over the head of the
goalkeeper that needed to be cleared off the line by defender Daniela Cruz.
The ball only made it as far as Lloyd at the edge of the area though, and she
beat Miranda with a left-footed shot that calmed the nerves of the U.S. team
with Morgan adding a late goal that made the final score a bit deceiving.
Despite punching its ticket for the Olympics the U.S. will face the winner of
the other semifinal between Canada and Mexico in Sunday's final.
The Sports Network