U.S. women punch ticket to World Cup

FRISCO, Texas — The United States women’s national team put on a clinic Sunday night, defeating Jamaica 6-0 at Toyota Stadium and booking its spot in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

The win puts the defending world champions in the final of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, where they will take on rival Canada for the regional crown. Canada beat Panama 7-0 in an earlier semifinal. The United States won the teams’ last meeting 3-1 on Nov. 12, 2017, at Avaya Stadium.

Unlike Canada, the United States’ offense got going early.

Midfielder Lindsey Horan ended up on the ball after a failed Jamaican clearance and took a shot, forcing a save from keeper Sydney Schneider. Schneider did not handle the shot and instead, parried it into the path of forward Tobin Heath, who easily tapped it in for a 1-0 U.S. lead in the 2nd minute.

Defender Abby Dahlkemper played a through ball to Megan Rapinoe in the 16th minute, clearing all defenders. Rapinoe took a touch off her chest and onto her foot before roofing a shot into the net to make it 2-0.

The U.S. continued to dominate, not allowing Jamaica to have much of the ball and forcing the team deep into its own third. Exploiting the flanks again, defender Crystal Dunn whipped in a ball from the left, finding the head of defender Julie Ertz, who crashed into the net with the ball to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead in the 21st minute.

Heath added to her tally with a second goal. Horan played a ball into the box and Heath found herself free, volleying it into the net to expand the lead to 4-0 in the 29th minute

Orlando Pride star forward Alex Morgan joined in on the goal-scoring party with a goal of her own. On the receiving end of a Rapinoe free kick, Morgan sidefooted the set piece into the net, putting the stamp on a dominant first-half performance for the United States in the 33rd minute.

Morgan added another goal late in the 84th minute on a penalty that she drew after rounding the keeper and being dragged down by Jamaican defender Allyson Swaby. Referee Francia Martinez pointed to the spot and Morgan buried the PK to give her two goals on the night.

Earlier Sunday, Canada enjoyed a 7-0 win over Panama.

The scoring started late. In the 44th minute, Christine Sinclair headed a cross past Panama keeper Farissa Cordoba to give Canada a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

The floodgates began to open after both teams came out of the break. Janine Beckie played the ball to Jessie Fleming open in the middle. Fleming shot the ball past Cordoba, expanding the lead to 2-0.

Just two minutes later, Sinclair added her 178th career goal with another header off a Beckie cross.

Beckie added a goal of her own in the 58th minute after assisting on the first three, making it 4-0.

Canadian defender Rebecca Quinn got a tap-in goal, giving Canada a stable 5-0 lead.

Nichelle Prince found Adriana Leon twice for almost carbon copy goals.

Leon made it 6-0 in the 77th minute and then repeated the play minutes later, capping the Canadians' scoring for the night.