Houston

U.S. Opens Olympic Qualifying with 5-0 Victory Over Costa Rica

Alex Morgan scored 12 seconds in and added another goal in the 62nd minute and the U.S. women's team opened CONCACAF qualifying for the Rio Olympics with a 5-0 victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday night.

Morgan's goal was the fastest in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying history, and the team said it is believed to be the fastest in U.S. history.

The match was the Americans' first competitive game since winning the World Cup. They have won three straight Olympic titles and four of the five in women's soccer.

The U.S. roster features only 13 of the 20 players who were on the World Cup team. Christie Rampone and Megan Rapinoe are injured, and Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux are pregnant and will miss the Olympics.

Carli Lloyd and Crystal Dunn also scored first-half goals, and substitute Christen Press scored in the 83rd minute.

The announced attendance was 8,143 fans at Toyota Stadium.

In Wednesday's other Group A opener, Maribel Dominguez scored a hat trick as Mexico routed Puerto Rico 6-0.

Morgan's first goal was a right-footed volley to the left of goalkeeper Dinnia Diaz from about 13 yards out while being tightly marked on her left side. Lloyd assisted with a jumping header after collecting a long cross lofted in by Lindsey Horan from beyond midfield seconds after the opening kickoff.

Morgan's second-half goal, her 59th career score, was a header just inside the 6-yard box off a chipped cross from Lloyd.

Lloyd's goal came on a penalty kick after Dunn was tripped just inside the 18-yard box. It was her 83rd career score and 20th in her last 15 matches. She nearly scored again in the 59th minute on a point-blank header right at Diaz.

Dunn scored her fifth career goal in the 15th minute, standing at the goal line as she followed her own saved shot.

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo was never seriously challenged. She made two saves during the first half on long free kicks.

The United States has never lost a qualifying match and is 13-0 against Costa Rica.

The U.S. team will face Mexico on Saturday and close group play against Puerto Rico on Monday night.

The two top teams in Group A will join the two survivors from Group B, which is being played in Houston. The two semifinal winners in Houston on Feb. 19 will qualify for Rio.

Mexico's Dominguez, known internationally as "Marigol," opened the scoring in the opening match in the 18th minute and added her other goals in the second half. The 37-year-old Dominguez is Mexico's leader in career qualifying goals with 14.

NBC 5's Meredith Yeomans contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us