Women’s World Cup Qualifying: Abby Wambach’s Brace Keeps U.S. World Cup Hopes Alive

If you were wondering what a Women’s World Cup would be like without the U.S. participating, you’ll have put those images on hold at least a little longer.

Abby Wambach scored two goals and the U.S. dispatched of Costa Rica 3-0 on Monday to take third in the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament and set up a two-legged playoff with Italy for a spot in the 2011 World Cup.

“Italy will be really tough and competitive. We need to play good soccer,” U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. “We can’t only fight, we need to keep possession and keep focused in the defending like we did today. I look at it like today was a warm-up, Italy will be the first half and Chicago will be the second half, and then hopefully we will be all set for the World Cup.”

Unlike the match against Mexico, the U.S. got off to a strong start. Lauren Cheney scored the opening goal in the 17th minute. Wambach followed that up in the 33rd minute with a volley off a Lori Lindsey pass. Wambach put the final nail in about five minutes after halftime, scoring her 117th international goal in 147 appearances off a Cheney assist.

“We were confident going into this game,” Wambach said. “This was the first leg of the journey we are on. Obviously, it’s not the journey we thought it would be but that doesn’t matter any more. It’s about what we have to do to get to the World Cup and Costa Rica was our first challenge. Not it’s on to Italy.”

The U.S. will now face Italy on Nov. 20 in Padova before returning for the home leg in Bridgeview, Ill. on Nov. 27. The aggregate winner will earn a spot in the World Cup.