The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) delivered a quick knockout punch to Costa Rica on Wednesday night at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The Yanks jumped to a quick 3-0 lead against the Central Americans, by the time the referee ended the match the Americans had a 5-0 score line.
Right off the bat, the United States midfield took control of the match. Lindsey Horan, captain Carli Lloyd, Morgan Brian and Tobin Heath pounced on the Costa Ricans from the start of the game. The midfield moved the ball quickly and freely around the pitch for nearly the entire 90 minutes. Whenever the Yanks did turnover the ball the midfield reaction was fast and effective.
The Central Americans struggled to string just a couple of passes together in the match. The U.S. midfield pressure and their solid, smart and tough defense neutralized the Central American offense. Costa Rica was only able to create two shots and they earned just one corner against the U.S. The Central Americans two chances in the game were stopped by American goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Fastest Goal in U.S. Soccer History
Within seconds of the match starting, the USWNT were able to take the lead. Alex Morgan scored her first goal with only 12 seconds into the match. Two quick passes led to Lloyd jumping in the air and flicking the ball to a running Morgan. The 26-year-old forward received the ball inside the penalty box and Morgan blasted the ball to the right hand corner to make the score 1-0.
Costa Rica was stunned by the early goal, as for the United States they were just getting started. A few minutes later, the Yanks doubled their lead with Lloyd converting a penalty kick. Speedy American forward Crystal Dunn received a pass right in front of the box; she quickly turned around and took off heading towards the goal.
Dunn was confronted right away by a defender and was about to pass her, until she was tripped. However, it was clear that the American striker was outside the PK box when she was fouled, but referee Cardella Samuels went ahead and called the penalty. Lloyd stepped up and placed the ball to the bottom left hand corner to make the score 2-0 at the ninth minute.
Six minutes later, the United States made Costa Rica’s nightmare continue when they increased the lead to 3-0. Horan received the ball inside the heart of the box. However, the ball seemed destined to bounce past her, until Horan stretched her leg and made contact.
The Costa Rican goalie Dinnia Diaz was able to block the shot, but Dunn was there to pounce on the rebound. Her first shot was blocked by a defender on the goal line. The 23-year-old striker did not give up on the play and followed up on the second rebound to score the Yanks third goal.
15 Minutes In and Game Was Virtually Over
It was only the 15th minute of the match and the Americans had already secured the victory. In the second half, the United States went on to add two more goals. Morgan headed in her second of the match and the U.S. fourth at 62nd minute. She also scored her 59th time for the national team in the process. Substitute forward Christen Press scored the final goal of the match at 83rd minute to finish the game 5-0.
With this result, the UWSNT are in second place of group A due to goal differential. Mexico defeated Puerto Rico 6-0 earlier in the day at Toyota Stadium. However, the Yanks will have a chance to take control of the group and secure their ticket to the next round with a victory. The United States will be facing Mexico on Saturday at Toyota Stadium.