The U.S. Women’s National Team opened Group A play at the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship with a 5-0 shutout against Costa Rica at Toyota Stadium.
Alex Morgan opened the scoring just 12 seconds into the match with the fastest goal in CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship history. Carli Lloyd assisted both of Morgan’s goals, with the second coming in the 62nd minute, and scored one of her own in the ninth minute. Lloyd and Morgan have assisted each other five times in the WNT’s past two matches and are responsible for five of the 10 goals scored by the USA in 2016.
Crystal Dunn scored in 15th minute of her Olympic Qualifying debut to give the USA a 3-0 lead heading into the half. Christen Press entered the match in the 74th minute and scored just nine minutes later, also in her first Olympic qualifier.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo recorded her 92nd shutout, further extending her U.S. WNT record for most shutouts.
Earlier in the day, Mexico topped Puerto Rico 6-0 in Group A action and sits atop the group with both teams having three points after the opening day of competition, but Mexico with a slight edge on goal difference. The WNT improved to 13-0-0 all-time against Costa Rica and 4-0-0 all-time at Toyota Stadium.
The U.S. WNT next faces Mexico at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 13, in its second Group A match as it continues the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in search of a berth to the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. The match can be viewed live on NBC Live Extra and on replay on NBCSN at 8:30 p.m. CT.
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