Lori Lindsey set up the first two goals for the U.S., which had been 19-0 in qualifying before Friday's stunning 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the semifinals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region. That defeat forced the two-time champions into a must-win third-place game against the No. 47 Ticas.
The top-ranked U.S. had been 19-0 in qualifying before Friday's stunning 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the semifinals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region. That defeat forced the two-time champions into a must-win third-place game against the No. 47 Ticas.
Now U.S. will play 11th-ranked Italy, the No. 5 team in European qualifying, in a home-and-home, total-goals series for the final berth in the tournament. The first match is at Padova on Nov. 20 and the second at Bridgeview, Ill., on Nov. 27. The U.S. is 8-4-1 against Italy, including 2-0-2 since 2001.
The U.S., the 1991 and 1999 world champion and defending Olympic gold medalist, improved to 7-0 against Costa Rica with a 34-0 goal difference.
Cheney put the U.S. ahead with a left-footed shot from about 16 yards that deflected past goalkeeper Dinnia Diaz. Lindsey passed to Cheney, who turned around a defender to open space and score her 11th international goal.
Wambach doubled the lead in the 33rd minute. Lindsey floated a pass over the defense as Wambach broke in, and Wambach volleyed the ball with her left foot from 8 yards.
After Costa Rica's Monica Malvassi hit a post in the 50th minute, the U.S. went down the field and Wambach slotted a 15-yard shot past Diaz for her 117th goal in 147 international appearances, third on the American scoring list behind Mia Hamm (158) and Kristine Lilly (130). It was Wambach's eighth goal in the qualifying tournament.
Wambach was replaced in the 69th, four minutes after getting a yellow card for a late challenge. American goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, starting because Hope Solo is recovering from shoulder surgery, made a foot save on Malvassi's curling free kick from just outside the penalty area in the 75th.
Lindsey started in left midfield in place of Megan Rapinoe, who was suspended. Ali Krieger took over at right back in place from Heather Mitts and Lauren Cheney was paired with Wambach at forward in place of Amy Rodriguez.
Later Monday, Canada and Mexico were to play for the regional title. By winning semifinals, both advanced to the World Cup.
Australia, England, France, Japan, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Sweden also have qualified to join defending champion Germany in the 16-nation field next year along with two African and two South American teams that will be determined this month.
NOTES
Following the loss to Mexico, ESPN2 decided to televise Monday's game, with announcers Adrian Healey and Julie Foudy in a studio in Bristol, Conn., and reporter Pedro Gomez at the stadium. The network is considering whether the broadcast the games against Italy.