Lloyd’s hat trick leads US past Panama in group stage play

CARY, N.C. – The United States used a radically different lineup but got the same dominating results.

Carli Lloyd scored three goals and the United States beat Panama 5-0 on Sunday in the group stage of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament.

Christen Press added a goal and two assists for the U.S. team, which led 4-0 at halftime.

The United States’ starting lineup was different by nine players from the group that began the team’s 6-0 tournament-opening win over Mexico on Thursday night. Only defender Abby Dahlkemper and midfielder Julie Ertz started again, with star forwards Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe among those absent from the starting 11.

“I think overall it should give the group a lot of confidence knowing that we have so much depth on this team,” Lloyd said. “We can seriously be deadly and unstoppable. It’s coming together collectively for everyone. It’s looking good.”

The United States struck for three goals in less than 10 minutes midway through the first half to break it open.

Lloyd, who had her eighth international hat trick, scored twice during that stretch. Among her goals was a highlight-worthy effort in the 29th minute in which she eluded three defenders while working her way from left to right in the penalty area.

A longtime midfielder, Lloyd started at striker and showed progress in her adjustment to her new role.

“I’ve been studying the game and trying to evolve,” she said. “With that has kind of been this thing where I’ve kind of had to take a couple of steps backward to go five steps forward. It feels really good. It’s clicking.”

The U.S team didn’t miss a beat with its revamped lineup. The United States scored in the fifth minute when Samantha Mewis headed in a corner kick from Press, and the team applied relentless pressure for the rest of the half.

Ranked No. 1 in the world, the U.S. team plays Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday in the last of its three CONCACAF round-robin matches.