United States vs. Costa Rica - Football Match Report - July 14, 2022 - ESPN
The United States women's national team beat Costa Rica 3-0 on Thursday to advance to the finals of the CONCACAF W Championship in Monterrey, Mexico, where it will face Canada in a rematch of the teams' Olympic semifinal last summer.
Having already clinched a spot in the 2023 Women's World Cup by reaching the tournament's semifinals, the Americans are now in line to secure a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris if they can win the W Championship on Monday night.
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The USWNT lost 1-0 to eventual gold medalists Canada in the semifinals of the COVID-delayed 2020 Olympics held last summer in Tokyo.
The U.S. kept Costa Rica under pressure throughout the opening half-hour and finally scored its first goal when Emily Sonnett poked the ball over the line following a mad scramble in front of the net.
Rose Lavelle's clever back-heel pass into the area gave Mallory Pugh clear sight of the Costa Rica goal just before halftime and the U.S. No. 9 made no mistake with her finish to stake the Vlatko Andonovski's side to a 2-0 lead at the break.
Sophia Smith missed a stellar chance just before the 60-minute mark, shooting wide from close range after some good build-up play by the U.S. down the left flank.
Ashley Sanchez add the third for the USWNT in second-half stoppage time and will next play Canada, who beat Jamaica 3-0 in the other semifinal, in the CONCACAF W Championship decider on Monday night.
The United States have won the past two World Cups, but they're heading into next summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand with a different look. Andonovski has focused on developing young talent since