World Cup Qualified

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Carli Lloyd tallied twice while Christen Press joined her on the scoresheet to send the U.S. Women’s National Team to the 2015 World Cup with Friday’s 3-0 win over Mexico at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

Lloyd scored her first inside of six minutes, then added her second in the 30th minute. Press capped the scoring in the 56th minute while Hope Solo collected the clean sheet. Longtime U.S. defender Christie Rampone collected her 300th career cap, second only to Kristine Lilly’s world-best 352.

The win marked a measure of revenge for the USWNT, whose tournament hopes for the 2011 World Cup were put in jeopardy by a shock loss to Mexico during the CONCACAF qualifying in 2010.

The U.S. wasted no time announcing their intentions in Friday’s contest after Lloyd snapped a Tobin Heath cross into the back of the net only six minutes after the opening whistle.

The veteran number 10 added to her account at the half-hour mark, albeit in a much different fashion. After Heath was fouled just inside the area, Lloyd stepped up and slammed it through the from the spot to widen the advantage.

Press grabbed the U.S.’s third goal before the hour after reaching a through ball from Sydney Leroux and, with only goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar to beat, slipped it into the back of the net in the 56th minute.

The U.S. will face Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Championship game on Sunday at PPL Park. The Yanks will be gunning for their fifth Championship title.