Rain unable to halt another USA goal deluge - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
 |
| Getty Images |
FIFA Women’s World Cup™ winners USA continued their goalscoring form with a one-sided 7-2 win over a youthful Costa Rica on Wednesday.
A sell-out crowd of 20,535 was on hand in Chattanooga to see the Stars and Stripes race to a 6-1 half-time lead, despite the opening period being halted for a lengthy delay due to a storm.
USA led 2-0 after 13 minutes and, following a delay of almost an hour-and-a-half, 5-0 after just 23 minutes.
Carli Lloyd’s early opener proved to be the goal of the match with the Canada 2015 adidas Golden Ball winner crashing home a long-range free-kick off the underside of the bar, before adding a second later in the half.
Heather O’Reilly followed up her double in Sunday’s 8-0 win over Las Ticas with another brace before the interval, while Abby Wambach was also on the scoresheet.
Costa Rica then conceded an own goal before netting their first ever goal against the Stars and Stripes. Carolina Venegas superbly set up the goal with a dribble to the byline, before squaring for Cristin Granados who finished smartly from close range.
Costa Rica also scored next midway through the second half as Karla Villalobos lofted over substitute goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher with an impressive lofted finish.
Alex Morgan added a seventh for USA late on to give the rain-sodden crowd a final opportunity to celebrate.
USA will host two matches against Canada 2015 quarter-finals Australia next month, before Brazil visit Stateside.