January 22, the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) took one step closer to the 2012 London Olympics when they earned a spot in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semi-finals by routing Guatemala 13-0 in Group B. Two days ago, the USWNT set new national and CONCACAF records by defeating the Dominican Republic 14-0. The combined goal total from those games (27) set a two-game record for the USWNT.
With their 7-0 win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday, Mexico also earned a spot in the January 27 semifinals, but first will face the USA in the final round of Group B play on January 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET. At this point, the USA hold a plus-15 goal differential over Mexico and need a win or a draw against Mexico to win Group B and face the second-place team from Group A for a berth to the Olympics.
Sydney Leroux shines
Sydney Leroux, the 2012 No. 1 WPS draft pick of the Atlanta Beat, tied Amy Rodriguez's new National Team record for scoring five goals in just one half of a game. She also became the first U.S. player ever to score five goals in her second game with the senior National Team. Leroux has already earned distinction as the USA's all-time leading scorer in the USWNT U-20s.
Previously, Abby Wambach, Michelle Akers, Tiffeny Milbrett and Brandi Chastain have each scored five goals in a single game.
"It's astonishing (for Sydney Leroux) to come off the bench and score so many goals like Amy Rodriguez did the other day," said U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage. "I am so proud to be around this team because this never happened before - so many goals."
Wambach added two goals before coming off at halftime, upping her career total to 129 and moving her past German legend Birgit Prinz into third in the world's all-time scoring list. Wambach now sits behind only two former teammates, Kristine Lilly (130) and Mia Hamm (158). The second goal, her 12th in this CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying, set a tournament record.
Altogether eight different players scored against Guatemala, including Lori Lindsey, who scored her first goal in 25 caps for the U.S.
Click here for the U.S. Women's Olympic Qualifying schedule and here for the U.S. Men's Olympic Qualifying schedule.
The USWNT games are televised on Universal Sports Network and streamed on universalsports.com and concacaf.com.
FOLLOW US SOCCER EXAMINER AND LE EISENMENGER ON TWITTER AND SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL ALERTS.
Match: U.S. Women's National Team vs. Guatemala
Date: Jan. 22, 2012
Competition: 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament - Group B
Venue: BC Place Stadium; Vancouver, Canada
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT
Attendance: 6,259
Weather: Indoors; 72 degrees
Scoring Summary:
USA - Abby Wambach (Megan Rapinoe) 12th minute
USA - Abby Wambach (Lauren Cheney) 14
USA - Lauren Cheney (unassisted) 24
USA - Amy Rodriguez (Abby Wambach) 29
USA - Carli Lloyd (Kelley O'Hara) 33
USA - Lori Lindsey (Kelley O'Hara) 34
USA - Sydney Leroux (Alex Morgan) 48
USA - Sydney Leroux (Amy Rodriguez) 51
USA - Sydney Leroux (Alex Morgan) 57
USA - Sydney Leroux (Kelley O'Hara) 70
USA - Megan Rapinoe (Alex Morgan) 75
USA - Alex Morgan (Heather Mitts) 83
USA - Sydney Leroux (Amy Rodriguez) 87
Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 2-Heather Mitts, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 5-Kelley O'Hara; 15-Megan Rapinoe, 10-Carli Lloyd (7-Shannon Boxx, 46), 16-Lori Lindsey, 8-Amy Rodriguez, 12-Lauren Cheney (13-Alex Morgan, 46); 20-Abby Wambach (14-Sydney Leroux, 46)
Subs not used: 6-Amy LePeilbet, 9-Heather O'Reilly, 17-Tobin Heath, 18-Nicole Barnhart, 19-Rachel Buehler
Head coach: Pia Sundhage
GUA: 1-Maricruz Lemus; 3-Marilyn Rivera, 4-Shannon Brooks, 14-Coralia Monterroso, 20-Katherine Ramos; 11-Rocio Sosa, 17-Ana Lucia Martinez (16-Alejandra De Leon, 68), 19-Andrea Tobar; 7-Wendy Pineda (capt.), 8-Maria Monterroso (18-Idania Perez, 78), 13-Maria Pelayes (6-Amarilis Lohaiza, 46)
Subs not used: 2-Jeymi Hernandez, 5-Londy Barrios, 9-Cinthya Lopez, 10-Gladys Suriano, 12-Mariandre Rodas, 15-Kimberly De Leon
Head coach: Raul Calderon
Statistical Summary: USA / GUA
Shots: 37 / 8
Shots on Goal: 28/ 2
Saves: 2 / 11
Corner Kicks: 8 / 3
Fouls: 10 / 3
Offside: 7 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials
Referee: Irazema Aguilera (CUB)
Assistant Referee 1: Shirley Perello (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Stacy Ann Greyson (JAM)
4th Official: Cardella Samuels (JAM)
Bud Light Woman of the Match: Sydney Leroux
Comments