The USWNT defeated Trinidad & Tobago on Friday to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The success from winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup has carried into 2016 for the USWNT as they defeated Trindad & Tobago by a score of 5-0 to qualify for the Rio Olympics later this Summer.
For the most part the USWNT didn’t struggle much during the group stage except their match against Mexico. In their first knockout stage win over Puerto Rico saw Crystal Dunn score five goal and the team win in a much expected blowout result of 10-0.
The Olympic qualifying clearly showed that the team, which is in a slight transition now with player like Abby Wambach hanging up their cleats, is still in good shape. Likewise, Megan Rapinoe is recovering from a torn ACL after being injured in Hawaii during the Victory Tour that lead to controversy over playing conditions. Lastly, Syndey Leroux won’t be playing in the Olympics as she announced her pregnancy earlier this year.
So far, the USWNT is working well together and playing effectively. They aren’t playing the top teams in the world currently, but it’s good to see them play to their level no matter who they are playing. A lot is clicking for the team as they now focus on winning gold at the Olympics for the second-straight time. They got revenge on Japan in 2012 after falling to them during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
The USWNT has qualified for the 2016 Olympics without too many tight matches or very tense moments on their road to Rio. Fans will be able to Jill Ellis and gang play in the 2016 Olympics and build upon their success at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
They join fellow CONCACAF member Canada in the finals of qualifying, but both teams reached the Rio Olympics with Friday’s results.