Seatlle, Nov 07: Cindy Parlow scored three goals as the United States clinched a berth in next year`s Women`s World Cup with a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Women`s Gold Cup semifinals. Parlow, who plays for Atlanta of the WUSA, scored in the 30th minute, 49th minute and 52nd minute to lead the United States to its 15th consecutive game without a loss on an American pitch.
Angela Hucles, Shannon MacMillan, and Kristine Lilly also scored for the Americans.
Costa Rica`s Cinthia Lopez was charged with an own goal that gave the United States a 5-0 lead in the 79th minute.
Despite outshooting Costa Rica 18-0 in the first half, the lead at the break was only one goal.
"It was a bit of a relief that we finally got a goal in the first half," Parlow said. "We knew we were on top of them, and if we kept attacking we figured that they`d eventually go in."
US goalkeeper Briana Scurry didn`t face her first shot until the 89th minute.
In the end, the US crew outshot Costa Rica 37-1. In the first four matches of the Gold Cup, the United States has outscored opponents 22-0. Bureau Report