USWNT OPENS 2016 OLYMPIC QUALIFYING WITH BIG WIN

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.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Alex Morgan (Carli Lloyd), 1st minute: Directly off the kickoff, Lindsey Horan sent a long ball from USA territory to Carli Lloyd who was about 30 yards from the goal. Lloyd flicked the ball with her head over the top of the Costa Rican defense to Alex Morgan, who fended off a defender and then struck a hard right-footed shot into the net from 10 yards out. The goal after just 12 seconds is believed to also be the fastest in the 31-year history of the U.S. Women’s National Team and it was the fastest goal ever scored in CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying. USA 1, CRC 0

USA – Carli Lloyd (Penalty Kick), 9th minute: Crystal Dunn drew a foul just inside penalty area to earn a USA penalty kick. Lloyd converted with a low, driven shot to left corner as the Costa Rica goalkeeper dove the wrong way. USA 2, CRC 0.

USA – Crystal Dunn, 15th minute: Becky Sauerbrunn sent a long throw-in into the penalty area from deep down the left sideline. Horan headed the ball toward the goal and Morgan slid to power a near post shot that was parried, but not held by Diannia Diaz. Dunn sprinted to the loose rebound and cracked a shot that was spectacularly saved by the sprawling Diaz, but she could do nothing about the rebound that Dunn powered into the net off the foot of a Costa Rica defender who was sliding at the goal line. It was Dunn’s first goal of Olympic Qualifying and fifth of her international career. USA 3, CRC 0.

USA – Alex Morgan (Carli Lloyd), 62nd minute: Lloyd worked her way free into the right side of the penalty area with a nifty dribble and chipped a perfect cross over a defender toMorgan who met it with her head just steps away from the goal to flick it home for the duo’s fifth combined goal and assist over the past two matches. USA 4, CRC 0

USA – Christen Press (Tobin Heath), 83rd minute: Tobin Heath found Christen Press with a cross into the penalty area from the left side. With her back to the goal, and just outside the six-yard box, Press settled the ball with the outside of her right foot away from a defender, spun around and finished into the roof of the net on the left side for her first goal in Olympic Qualifying. USA 5, CRC 0 – FINAL

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Source: US Soccer