The U.S. faced Jamaica on Sunday night in what was the biggest game since the 2016 Olympics, needing a victory to qualify for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
It was never in doubt. Despite the high stakes involved, the U.S. was clearly the better team from the start, and were on the scoreboard in just the 2nd minute when the Jamaican keeper spilled a ball that Tobin Heath pounced on and put into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
So, that didn't take long.
Tobin Heath gives the USWNT an early lead! pic.twitter.com/IYqKqfEjhH
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 15, 2018
The onslaught continued the rest of the first half, starting when Abby Dahlkemper delivered a beautiful deep ball to Megan Rapinoe, who took the ball into the box and finished with a goal, giving the U.S. a 2-0 lead.
What a goal!
Megan Rapinoe doubles the USWNT's lead after a wonderful cross-field pass from Abby Dahlkemper. pic.twitter.com/MhK83vGWeY
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 15, 2018
The U.S. added another just six minutes later when Crystal Dunn fired a pass from the left side into the box that found the head of Julie Ertz for a 3-0 lead.
Julie Ertz makes it 3️⃣!
Only 21 minutes in and it looks like the USWNT will take care of business tonight. pic.twitter.com/7jAtyG7Gvx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 15, 2018
The U.S. continued its dominance the rest of the half. Heath added a second goal in the 29th minute and Alex Morgan scored in the 33rd minute when a curling ball off a free kick by Rapinoe found her feet for a 5-0 advantage that held until halftime.
And another one! ??
Tobin Heath gets her second of the night after a BEAUTY of an assist from Lindsay Horan. #USWNT pic.twitter.com/i282ogSYoe
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 15, 2018
Time to book those tickets to France. ✈️
Alex Morgan makes it 5-0 with career goal No. 95! #USWNT pic.twitter.com/lT8xLnRhda
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 15, 2018
With World Cup qualifying seemingly in the bag, the U.S. took their foot off the pedal a bit in the second half, not generating nearly as many chances as in the first 45 minutes.
The lone second half goal came in the 84th minute when Christen Press won a ball and fed Alex Morgan, who was fouled in the box for a penalty. Morgan stepped up and buried it, giving the U.S. a 6-0 lead.
It was Morgan’s second goal of the match and tournament-leading seventh goal. She now has 96 goals for the U.S., a team-leading 16 this year and 23 goals in 23 games.
With the big win, the U.S. has officially clinched a spot in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, looking to defend their 2015 title and add a fourth star to the jersey.
The U.S. will now take on Canada in the final of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, looking to claim the title as the best team in the region. The game will take place on Wednesday at 6 p.m. MT and can be seen on FS1.
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