American women roll into CONCACAF semis

Extend unbeaten streak to 26 games

HOUSTON — Christen Press and Samantha Mewis each scored two goals and the United States beat Costa Rica, 6-0, Monday night before 7,082 at BBVA Compass Stadium to finish atop its group in the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament.

The World Cup-winning U.S. team extended its unbeaten streak to 26 games. The Americans wrapped up the group stage with three shutouts and 18 goals.

Both teams already had earned a spot in the semifinals of the tournament later this week in Carson, Calif. Eight teams are playing in the tournament, which will determine the region’s two berths to the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

The semifinal matchups will be determined Tuesday when Canada plays Mexico in Edinburg, Texas. The winner of that match will avoid the top-ranked Americans.

Press extended her scoring streak to four consecutive games with a goal in the fourth minute. Lindsey Horan, who had a hat trick in the U.S. team’s 8-0 victory Friday against Panama, scored some six minutes later.

Press, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League, added her second goal in the 36th minute.

Mewis scored on a free kick by Press in the 63rd minute and Jessica

McDonald added a goal in the 77th before Mewis’ second goal, which appeared to just barely hit the line after deflecting down off the crossbar.

Costa Rica rested top players Shirley Cruz and Raquel Rodriguez in anticipation of the semifinals.

The U.S. women have qualified for every Olympics since women’s soccer was introduced in 1996, and has won the gold medal four times.

Earlier, Nerilia Mondesir and Mikerline Saint-Felix each scored twice and Haiti beat Panama, 6-0. It was the final match of the tournament for both teams. Panama goalkeeper and captain Yenith Bailey did not play after she was injured Friday in an 8-0 loss to the United States. Sasha Fabregas replaced Bailey in goal.