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USA 4-0 Canada: Alex Morgan leads U.S. women to CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying title
The U.S. forward had two goals and two assists to lead the Olympic-bound U.S. team past Canada, extending its winning streak over its neighbors to the north to 25 games.
Jan 30, 2012 12:46:00 AM
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U.S. striker Abby Wambach moved to No. 2 on the U.S. and world all-time goal scoring list, Alex Morgan tallied two goals and two assists, and the U.S. women's team defeated Canada 4-0 to take the championship of the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Both teams sealed their berths to the 2012 London Olympics with semifinal wins last Friday, but that did nothing to temper the emotion and energy the USA and Canada showcased in front of a CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying-record crowd.
Wambach netted her 130th and 131st career goals in the 24th and 28th minutes, respectively, to surpass former U.S. teammate Kristine Lilly, who retired at the beginning of 2011 with 130 career goals. Wambach now trails only U.S. legend Mia Hamm (158).
Also at the forefront of the U.S. attack was Morgan, who got her first start of the tournament as she paired up with Wambach in a 4-4-2 formation. It marked the first time that Morgan and Wambach started a match together and Morgan contributed to each of the four U.S. goals.
"I think we came out really strong and the early goal took the wind out of their sails a bit," said Wambach. "It quieted the crowd down a considerable amount, and then of course the second goal is just the backbreaker for them. It's hard to score one goal against the U.S., let alone two to equalize and three to go ahead."
The victory gave the USA its third straight CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament title, improved its all-time record against Canada to 43-3-5 and improved its current unbeaten streak against its northern neighbors to 25 games.
The U.S. team will now go on a short break before regrouping in Frisco, Texas, to prepare for its meeting with New Zealand on Feb. 11 at FC Dallas Stadium.
Both teams sealed their berths to the 2012 London Olympics with semifinal wins last Friday, but that did nothing to temper the emotion and energy the USA and Canada showcased in front of a CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying-record crowd.
Wambach netted her 130th and 131st career goals in the 24th and 28th minutes, respectively, to surpass former U.S. teammate Kristine Lilly, who retired at the beginning of 2011 with 130 career goals. Wambach now trails only U.S. legend Mia Hamm (158).
Also at the forefront of the U.S. attack was Morgan, who got her first start of the tournament as she paired up with Wambach in a 4-4-2 formation. It marked the first time that Morgan and Wambach started a match together and Morgan contributed to each of the four U.S. goals.
"I think we came out really strong and the early goal took the wind out of their sails a bit," said Wambach. "It quieted the crowd down a considerable amount, and then of course the second goal is just the backbreaker for them. It's hard to score one goal against the U.S., let alone two to equalize and three to go ahead."
The victory gave the USA its third straight CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament title, improved its all-time record against Canada to 43-3-5 and improved its current unbeaten streak against its northern neighbors to 25 games.
The U.S. team will now go on a short break before regrouping in Frisco, Texas, to prepare for its meeting with New Zealand on Feb. 11 at FC Dallas Stadium.
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