WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United States booked a spot in the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship semifinals by winning Group A behind an emphatic 6-0 victory over Haiti on Monday night.
The result also enabled Trinidad & Tobago, a 2-1 winner over Guatemala in the first game of the doubleheader at RFK Stadium, to secure a final-four berth. The U.S. will play the winner of Tuesday’s Group B match between Mexico and Jamaica, in Chester, Pennsylvania, on October 24.
Abby Wambach scored twice to increase her world-record to 173 international goals. Carli Lloyd, Meghan Klingenberg, Christen Press and Morgan Brian also tallied for the Americans (3-0-0, 9 points). Haiti was eliminated from the competition with a 1-0-2 record.
The USA has outscored its opposition in this competition, 12-0, while recording their 27th shutout out of 32 all-time CWC matches.
"It's not pretty, but we're getting the job done," Wambach said. "It's tough to score goals when you have 10 people in the box."
Still, the U.S. did as it came out attacking from the opening whistle and rarely allowed the Haitians to cross midfield.
That pressure paid off in the ninth minute. Meghan Klingenberg sent in a long cross toward Wambach that goalkeeper Geralda Saintilus punched out softly. The ball went directly to an awaiting Carli Lloyd, who half-volleyed an effort home for her 53rd international goal and a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later, Press delivered a cross into the box that Haitian defender Roselord Borgella tried to head away. Wambach was there to head home from close range for a 2-0 advantage.
Klingenberg extended the margin to 3-0 in the 57th minute as she drilled in a 25-yard laser off a half-volley for her first international tally in 19 appearances after a poor clearance.
Wambach bagged her brace barely after the hour, volleying a six-yarder for a four-goal advantage. She has 14 CWC goals, moving her past Mia Hamm into second place, trailing only Michelle Akers (17).
Press added a goal in the 65th minute and she set up one for Morgan's with eight minutes left in normal time.
