USWNT earns World Cup place

by Debby von Winckelmann

The US Women’s National Team earned a berth to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, defeating Mexico 3-0 at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania on Friday in the semifinals of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

With this result, the US did not allow an ugly piece of history to replay. In the same scenario four years ago, Mexico upset the top-ranked US in the semifinals of World Cup qualifying, forcing the US to beat Italy in a playoff to gain entry to the 2011 World Cup.

This time the Americans dominated every aspect of play and struck early, with Tobin Heath sending the ball into the box and directly onto the head of Carli Lloyd in the 6th minute of play.

Lloyd notched her second goal of the match, converting a penalty kick in the 30th minute, again with some help from Heath, who was fouled in the box by Mexico’s Christina Murillo.

Christen Press made it 3-0 in the 56th minute, taking a through-ball from Sydney Leroux and punching it past Mexico’s goalkeeper  Pamela Tajonar, who came off her line.

It looked like Lloyd had a hat trick in the 75^th minute, but her goal was called back on an offsides call.

The US shut down Mexico, outshooting them 20 to 1,and not allowing a single shot on goal. US goalkeeper Hope Solo easily recorded her 76th clean sheet.

Still, it could have been worse for Mexico, as the US had several chances left unfinished. Leroux had two of her shots hit the post, while Press hit once. Abby Wambach came in for Leroux in the 62^ndminute and had a couple of misses, as well.

US team captain Christie Rampone made history as only the second player to record 300 national team appearances. Kristine Lilly is the only other player to have done so, with 352 games.

The US will face Costa Rica on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET in the finals of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship at PPL Park. Costa Rica qualified for it’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup by defeating Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 in penalty kicks on Friday.