The U.S. Women’s National Team continued its 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with another big victory, easily defeating Panama 5-0 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The game was only the second between the teams at the senior level.
The USA scored in the fifth minute on a set piece as a corner kick from Christen Press was headed home by Samantha Mewis. Carli Lloyd then scored two goals in the first half, before adding a third in the opening minutes of the second to complete her first hat-trick since 2016. Press, who dished out two assists via corner kicks, also added a goal for the USA.
The U.S. WNT out-shot Panama 16-0 in the first half, and 19-4 in the second, but some excellent play from Panama’s goalkeeper Yenith Bailey, who had 12 total saves, some of them spectacular, kept the score down.
Next, the WNT will await the result from the second Group A game of the day between Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago (7:30 p.m. ET), and could qualify for the semifinals with one game to play if those teams play to a draw or if Mexico wins. If T&T wins, then the U.S. would need at least a draw in its final game to win the group and qualify for the semifinals. The USA will conclude Group A play at the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship vs. Trinidad & Tobago in Cary, N.C. on Oct. 10 (7:30 p.m. ET; FS2, UDN).
<strong>TEAM</strong> |
<strong>GP</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>D</strong> |
<strong>GF</strong> |
<strong>GA</strong> |
<strong>GD</strong> |
<strong>PTS</strong> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>Panama</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>5</p> |
<p>-2</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>Trinidad & Tobago</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>-3</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>Mexico</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>-6</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
