Defeating Costa Rica 3-0, the US Women’s National Team finished the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament scoring a total of 21 goals while only conceding one. Despite this impressive stat, the US finished in third place and must now defeat Italy on aggregate to proceed to Germany next summer.
With elimination on the line, the US looked poised and relaxed against Costa Rica. Coach Pia Sundhage had urged her team to attack using the flanks while playing in their 4-4-2 formation. Costa Rica was able to suppress the outside attack during much of the first half. Again, lack of US outside midfielders and defenders failed to challenge one versus one situations on the flanks which created a more direct central US attack. The US caught a break in the 17th minute when Lauren Cheney’s shot managed to catch Costa Rica’s goalie wrong footed.
Sporting a blue head band that covered her recent stitches earned during the Mexico match, Abby Wambach scored her 116th international goal in the 33rd minute with a picture perfect left footed volley. Wambach scored goal number 117 early in the second half to ensure the US victory.
Despite easily defeating Costa Rica, the US will face a more difficult Italian side in Italy on November 20 and again in Chicago on November 27. The winner will be decided on aggregate, which means that the team which scores the most goals will advance to the Women’s World Cup.
For a preview of the Italy-USA match, including info on Italy, please continue here: USWNT V ITALY
USWNT post match quotes
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