The US WNT overcame early match nerves and a very game Costa Rican team through goals scored by Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, and Alex Morgan. This win qualifies them for the London Olympics. In the other semi-finals, Canada held off Mexico, 3-1, to also book their spot. The final will be played tomorrow and pits two of the most potent goalscorers in the game. Both Abby Wambach and Christine Sinclair are tied at 129 goals apiece, joint third in the goalscoring charts, one behind Kristine Lilly. Mia Hamm holds the record with 158 goals.
One of the nail biting moments came when Los Ticas’s Carol Sanchez drove in a 30 yard shot that struck the upright and with Hope Solo sprawled helplessly on the ground, Rachel Buehler had to tussle with Fernanda Barrantes, to prevent her from scoring into an empty net.
Abby Wambach paid due diligence to their 41st ranked opponents.
”There were moments where I think Costa Rica were outplaying us, and it just shows you how important it was to all of us,” forward Abby Wambach said. ‘‘Nobody wanted to make that mistake. And luckily we didn’t.”
The US women are looking to win the 2012 Olympics which will make it a hat trick of wins and erase memories of that bitter loss to the Nadeshiko in the last World Cup.