The United States and Costa Rica are through to the semifinals of CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying after victories Saturday in Mexico.
The U.S. defeated Guatemala 9-0 behind an Amy Rodriguez hat trick and Costa Rica topped Haiti 3-0 thanks to two goals from Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno. Both the U.S. and Costa Rica won their opening matches as well, making both undefeated thus far in group play. Haiti and Guatemala are eliminated entering the final day of group play Monday.
Rodriguez started the scoring early for the U.S. in the 21st minute and Megan Rapinoe added a second just a minute later. Abby Wambach scored a first half brace and Rapinoe and Rodriguez both scored their second goals before halftime to send the game to the break at 6-0 in favor of the U.S. With the result already ensured, Alex Morgan scored in 49th minute and Carli Lloyd added a goal in the 55th minute. The night culminated with Rodriguez scoring the United States’ ninth goal in the 88th minute.
In the preceding match in Cancun, a young 17-year-old Cedeno scored goals in the 42nd and 52nd minutes to lift Costa Rica over Haiti. Shirley Cruz opened the scoring for Costa Rica in the 35th minute with a beautiful chip to herself over Haiti goalkeeper Geralda Saintillius. Check out the full match report here.
Costa Rica and the U.S. will meet Monday to decide which team will advance out of the group in first place.
