Unlike their last World Cup qualifying adventure, the United States women have coasted into the finals easily this time around. On Friday night, they defeated Mexico -- the team that beat them in the semifinals of the 2010 CONCACAF Championship -- 3-0 to secure qualification for the 2015 World Cup.
United States qualifies for the 2015 World Cup
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Although the game doesn't matter for World Cup qualification, the Americans will play in the final of the CONCACAF Championship against Costa Rica on Sunday. Mexico drops down into the 3rd place game, where they will play Trinidad and Tobago for a place in the World Cup.
USWNT wins 3-0 over Mexico
USWNT wins 3-0 over Mexico
While the U.S. has never failed to finish outside of the top three in any World Cup, they haven’t won the tournament since their famous 1999 triumph at the Rose Bowl. They’ll be among the favorites in Canada, but international women’s soccer is deeper than it’s ever been before, and a first-ever quarterfinal exit shouldn’t be considered outside the realm of possibility for the Americans.
The World Cup draw will be held on December 6 in Ottawa, Canada, and with the field expanding to 24 teams this year, the U.S. will likely be heavy favorites to win their group, with the other top teams well spread out. The tournament gets underway on June 6, 2015, with hosts Canada playing in the opening game in Edmonton.
