As expected, another game another win as the World Cup winners did in fact win again, their goals total put them ahead of Costa Rica who had but a pair of tallies by ex Sky Blue player, Raquel Rodriguez over Haiti, also a shutout, next up, Costa Rica.
It was a better showing with 13,121 fans, more than a few MLS teams get but still paltry by USWNT standards, yet the #2 crowd in Olympic Qualifiers in the states, I am pretty sure the game on Feb. 3 at Dignity Health Sports Park where in a few hours the USMNT take on Costa Rica will eclipse even that mark. This group is now not even a two horse race as both the US & the Ticas will move on while Haiti and Panama will go home at the culmination of group play. The victor on the 3rd meets the #2 of Group B, the loser gets the B winner.
Hat trick lady with her first, Lindsey Horan led all goal getters, Lynn Williams, Rose Lavelle, Christen Press, Jessica McDonald and Tobin Heath all hit for one per. Another early start, but more than 2x later in the game at just 3', Horan struck first, followed by others from teammates in just 6', it was 4-0. Williams hit at 15', Lavelle @ 21' around the 18' brace achived by Horan. The Panamanian GK, 18 year old Yenith Baily was taken off at 33' after colliding with Jessica McDonald due to concussion fears, Sasha Fabrega came in her steed, making 10 saves. It then took some 25 minutes for the US to get another goal, as the defense of Panama stepped up and the US still was not sharp, errant and mistimed passes would abound. The US was not able to get into the penalty area as much as earlier. Later 2nd half subs proved their value when Vlatko made his moves, the duo of Press & Heath, (Preath) each struck less than 2' in as Press netted at 70', McDonald at 72' and the 78' found "goald" for Heath, Lindsey closed out the scoring at 81'. Monday at 8:30 p.m. PT on FS1 & TUDN the USWNT v Ticas is broadcast and it may also be seen on FOXSports.com & the FOX Sports app, I so hope this is the case as it was a bear to catch this game after I spoke with numerous people at my TV carrier and checked the USSF site, even 10 hours after FOX had updates, they still did not.
Kwikk Kixx:
-13 # of WNT goals for Horan.
-8 # of goals for WIlliams, 4 in her last trio of matches.
-53 # of goals for Press, on a 3 game goal streak.
-4 different and straight Olympic Qualifying tournies where Heath has scored, tying Carli Lloyd and trails just Christine SInclar of Canada, she had a brace yesterday to pass ex- USWNT star Abby Wambach in international goals.
-#1 Olympic Qualifier for Ashlyn Harris, Andi Sullivan & Mcdonald.