U.S. women’s soccer team routs Costa Rica, 8-0, in first match since World Cup

Pittsburgh native Meghan Klingenberg, clinching to a Steelers’ terrible towel, celebrates with Hope Solo after scoring early in the second half at Heinz Field. (Don Wright/Associated Press)

 

Christen Press recorded a hat trick and Meghan Klingenberg scored in her hometown return Sunday as the U.S. women’s national soccer team routed Costa Rica, 8-0, in its first appearance since winning the World Cup in Vancouver last month. The friendly drew 44,028 to Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, the largest turnout for a stand-alone match in U.S. women’s history.

The victory extended the Americans’ current unbeaten streak to 17 (14-0-3) and their home streak to 97 (85-0-12 since November 2004).
SCORING
USA: Heather O’Reilly, 4th minute.
USA: Christen Press, 29th.
USA: Julie Johnston (Megan Rapinoe), 36th.
USA: Press (Shannon Boxx), 45th.
USA: Meghan Klingenberg (Tobin Heath), 56th.
USA: O’Reilly (Press), 59th.


USA: Whitney Engen (Abby Wambach), 63rd.
USA: Press (O’Reilly), 68th.
USA Lineup: Harris (Solo 46th); Krieger, Johnston (Engen 46th), Rampone, Klingenberg; O’Reilly, Boxx (Brian 46th), Lloyd (Wambach 54th), Rapinoe (Heath 46th); Press, Rodriguez (Chalupny 46th).
Subs Not Used: Naeher, Sauerbrunn, O’Hara, Holiday, Morgan.
Not available: Leroux (ankle surgery).