Abby Wambach does it again, with two more goals in the USWNT match against Costa Rica. Wambach has eight goals in four games as the US women are faced with a problem they have never imagined, they are having to fight to win a spot in the upcoming Women's World Cup after a loss (first ever in WC qualifying) to Mexico on November 5th.
Before US soccer fans and haters buy into all the naysayers predictions of impending doom for this version of the most successful international women's soccer team, remember this years team has outscored its opponents 22-2 in five Women's World Cup qualifying games. Since the tournament began in 1991 the US has won twice (1991, 1995) and finished 3rd three times (1995, 2003, 2007).
Though at times they have not looked as dominant as the USWNT teams of the past 19 years, the team is full of talented young players like Alex Morgan (3 app., 2 g), Yael Averbuch (2 app., 1 g), and Amy Rodriguez (3 app., 4 g).
The young players are supported by the aforementioned Abby Wambach who has taken the lead on the field and is doing all she can to prevent them from not qualifying for a Women's World Cup for the first time in its short history. By leading her team to victory over Costa Rica on Monday, Wambach and the USWNT secured third place and, with it, a play-off against Italy for a place at Germany 2011.
The team will now head to Italy for a two-game, total-goals playoff: Nov. 20 in Padova, Italy, and Nov. 27 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. The winner will advance to next summer's World Cup in Germany.
To watch a Replay of the game go here: ESPN 3 Replay: US vs Costa Rica
Yes, the US has outscored the competition 22-2 in this year's World Cup qualifying, but against inferior competition. Italy is significantly better than any of them.
ReplyDelete@StarCityFan -O.k. fair enough, just was pointing out that the competition has not caught up as much as many would like to think.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about Italy being better and the upcoming two matches will be a very good measuring stick to see how the USWNT is and what to expect from them if they do qualify.
Do you think they will beat Italy?