Not So Friendly: USWNT bulldoze Costa Rica to open “Victory Tour”

Press began her hat trick in the 29th minute, receiving a chip from Megan Rapinoe in the penalty area.

Heinz Field management is reminding fans attending the U.S. Women’s National Team match vs. Costa Ricaon Sunday, August 16, of stadium policies that are in place.

Top play of the match goes to Klingenberg for the combination of her goal and her celebration, an endearing awful Towel twirl as a nod to the Pittsburgh Steelers and her hometown crowd. The early stops of the victory tour overlap with the National Women’s Soccer League season, where all but one of the USA’s World Cup players compete, forcing quick turnarounds for the players. “It’s going to be incredibly loud, they’re going to be waving their awful Towels, and we’re going to have an absolute blast sharing this World Cup win with them”. Games like this create good publicity and generate a lot of revenue for US Soccer, money which will hopefully go right back into the women’s team.

Despite the fact that most of the U.S. women have been working non-stop since leaving Canada, making promotional appearances and playing for their National Professional Soccer League teams, the team came out with fluidity and style – and an offensive onslaught.

There was never any doubt that the Americans would crush Costa Rica on Sunday afternoon – but that wasn’t the point.

Because of the reduced roster size, not all of the 23 players who won the World Cup will be able to travel. The 23-year-old defender headed home a Rapinoe cross in the 37th minute to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead.

Hope Solo did not get the start. Additional goals by hometown hero Meghan Klingenberg, Whitney Engen, a second from O’Reilly and Press’ third sealed the final result. Karla Villabolos had a breakaway that drew Solo well in front of the goal. Her smile could probably be seen all the way up in the nosebleeds.

Ellis said she was being mindful of that until it’s time to switch gears. The novelty of winning a trophy, even though it’s the World Cup, will eventually wear off as the team gears up for Olympic qualifying and the players, staff and fans work toward the next conquest.

USA Lineup: Harris (Solo 46th); Krieger, Johnston (Engen 46th), Rampone, Klingenberg; O’Reilly, Boxx (Brian 46th), Lloyd (Wambach 54th), Rapinoe (Heath 46th); Press, Rodriguez (Chalupny 46th). They square off in Chattanooga on Wednesday at Finley Stadium (live, 7:30 p.m. ET).

Despite giving up eight goals, Diaz made a couple of impressive saves, charging out of her goal in the 8th minute to make a diving save on a shot by Klingenberg, then punching a rocker by Boxx in the 17th minute over the bar.