Americans ease by Trinidad and Tobago, book spot in Rio Games

The moment passed as quickly as it arrived. The win pits the top two teams in the finals and assures the US of a berth in the 2016 Rio Olympics regardless of the decision on Sunday afternoon against Canada.

This wasn’t pleasure, just business. And there might be a teenager in their midst when they do.

United States soccer fans show their support before a CONCACAF Olympic women’s soccer qualifying championship semifinal between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, in Houston.

Costa Rica pulled one back from the penalty spot, before 16-year-old Deanne Rose put the game out of reach of the Costa Ricans with a late goal and Canada, bronze medalists at the 2012 London Games, advanced to the final.

“We are delighted we have booked our ticket”, United States of America coach Jill Ellis said.

“We actually talked about it in our very first camp in 2016 that no team has done that”, Ellis said.

Rockville Centre native Crystal Dunn, who entered the match with six goals, began as a spectator as 17-year-old Mallory Pugh took her place in the Starting XI. The match also saw Christine Sinclair score her 159 career goal, goign past Mia Hamm to stand 2 on the all-time career list of women’s goals. The game is always evolving, after all, and to its credit so is this US team. With the exception of the opponents it plays Sunday, CONCACAF can still only delay its best team, not test the United States. Incredible as it may sound, but no team has accomplished that, not the USA, Germany or Norway.

It is the first time T&T has made the semifinals in qualifying. Moving toward the end line on the left side of the field in the 12th minute, Pugh cut a pass back through the 18-yard box. She was then named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and was a finalist to the FIFA World Player of the Year award. “We’ve got to be ready to play and take this one home”. Lots and lots of chances.

“I was so mentally focused and prepared”.

Alex Morgan tallied her third career global hat trick, and Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath each added a first-half goal to power the Americans to their sixth consecutive Olympic Games, where they will seek their fifth gold medal.

Perhaps most impressive in Team USA’s ongoing global run is the continued dominance it has displayed despite a slew of roster changes resulting from pregnancies, retirements and other causes since its World Cup title.