The U.S. women’s national team’s quest for a third-consecutive Concacaf W Championship title continued on Thursday with the Americans advancing to the final of this year’s competition.
Vlatko Andonovski’s squad remained perfect in Mexico this summer, downing Costa Rica 3-0 to move one victory away from clinching a berth into the 2024 Summer Olympics. Emily Sonnett and Mallory Pugh each scored before halftime while Ashley Sanchez added a late goal to ice the convincing result.
Alex Morgan came close to breaking the deadlock in the third minute of the match, but the veteran attacker was left frustrated after hitting the right post from point-blank range.
However, the Americans would celebrate a first-half lead as Sonnett pounced on a rebound in the 34th minute to score her first goal of the tournament. Andi Sullivan’s shot following a corner kick was blocked, but Sonnett made her rebound attempt count by scoring into the bottom-corner.
Mallory Pugh doubled the USWNT’s lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, picking up a back heeled pass from Rose Lavelle and slotting home into the bottom-right corner. It was Pugh’s sixth goal in 2022.
Costa Rica did its best to try and get back into the match, but overall the Americans pressure capped the final score at 3-0 in stoppage time. Ashley Sanchez’s right-footed shot found the top-left corner, giving the USWNT its fourth shutout victory of the tournament.
The Americans will now face Canada in Monday’s final.
Not looking good, in a nutshell. Against the best teams, and these teams the USWNT are playing in this tournament are NOT the best teams, no way so many great opportunities can go wasted, literally time after time. The whole team looks tight in the area and Vlatko needs to get that sorted asap.
And what happened to switching the point of attack? Vlatko seems to be against it as this team doesn’t do it. Weird to say the least.
I get that he’s integrating youth and there are always challenges with that but this team is going backwards imo, and I hope he proves me wrong.
Someone please explain how my take sucks!! Seriously
I have a different sentiment. It’s no secret the USWNT needs to integrate young new talent into the roster before the WWC, and the CONCAFAF tournament is the right time to break them in. Through 4 games, we’re seeing rising talent stake a claim for a spot next year. Hatch, Smith, Purce and probably Pugh can challenge veterans for a spot up top. Sullivan looks like a solid back for Ertz. Fox and Girma has looked strong on defense. Through 4 games, they had dominated possession and have yet to give up a goal. I’m confident VA will go through the film and work through the kinks.
thanks for the reply.
I am all for integrating the youth! all know it had to be done and this was the time to do it. Yes
the issue is that some, particularly in attack, are struggling. It’s not a secret and the world is watching and knows.
disagree on Sullivan so far, tho I have seen her dominate for other teams. not yet so far for USWNT and not close to Ertz’ level yet.
Girma and Cook…excellent.
the dominant possession is fools gold as the teams we played have allowed it. In fact, in the 2nd half vs. Costa Rica when they finally came out, they were dangerous and the US was scrambling often…vs. Costa Rica.
Re. challenging for spots up top, YES but are we saying the attack has looked good? How many wayward balls and shots equate to looking the opposite of good? Fortunately we have created shots ,and opportunities to serve a final ball, but those shots and opportunites have been wasted over and over again. Fortunately the competition has been weak relatively speaking so not punished for wasting GREAT chances.
We’ll see on Monday what happens against a good team, Canada. They will have the confidence going into the game and it’s THE excellent opportunity for this USWNT side to step up in the final 3rd. That is where the issues have been.
I’m pulling for our USWNT to do it!! I’m not a troll.