The U.S. Women’s National Team advance to the knockout stage in the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship after 7-0 win last night against Trinidad & Tobago.
URFC defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Kelly O’Hara started the match alongside each other on the right side of the back line and secured a shutout for the U.S. O’Hara acquired her 110th cap from her appearance last night, while Becky Sauerbrunn earned her 145th cap.
Orlando Pride FW Alex Morgan captured the first goal for team USA in the ninth minute off a one-touch strike. The U.S. controlled possession, but Trinidad & Tobago kept the game close, until the last four minutes of the half. Three goals were fired in that stretch when Washington Spirit MF Rose Lavelle scored back-to-back goals in the 41st and 43rd minute and North Carolina Courage FW Crystal Dunn struck from the top of the penalty area to place the ball in the lower left corner of the goal in the 45th minute to move the U.S. into halftime up 4-0.
The U.S. dominated again in the second half and maintained high pressure on Trinidad & Tobago. In the 49th minute, Portland Thorns MF Lindsey Horan took advantage of a bad clearance and scored a long shot outside the 18-yard box. Morgan gained a second goal in the 50th minute off a rebounded shot and Portland Thorns FW Tobin Heath added a goal after contributing two assists in the first half. The U.S. finished the night with a total of 59 shots, 22 were on goal.
Team USA will await the results of Group B games that will occur tonight. On Sunday, October 14th the U.S. team will match up against the 2nd place team from Group B.
