I’m glad for the CONCACAF web site. This site used to be abject but they have really spruced things up at least as far as coverage of their own events goes. Very nice work, and the Costa Rican commentators always add some excitement to the viewing, even if I’m not sure what they are saying most of the time.

1. The opposition was better than it had been in the first two matches, but Kaz Tambi’s U.S. team came out ON FIRE. Morgan Brian was pulling the strings in attack, while Alexandra Doll had some excellent power and vision on display in the attacking third. Kaysie Clark was tremendous with ball-winning and Olivia Brannon really got forward well. Credit to Taylor Smith for taking three goals very well also.
2. This team appears very relaxed. The lights went out at the stadium in the 10-minute mark and as the cameras showed the girls goofing around, they were clearly having a ball.
3. The celebration after the 1st goal, which was well-orchestrated, appeared to be that Ninja game our Seth Burleigh found some players playing when we covered the ECNL event in College Station, Texas last December.
4. Morgan Brian’s free kick was indeed, as the announcers mentioned, a golazo.
5. I love how this team kept attacking, attacking attacking. There was no sense of mercy or sympathy and at the international level, nor should there be. This team is really good.

Now the U.S. waits to see who its semifinal opponent is. A win in the next game ensures passage to FIFA U17 World Cup, to be played this September in Trinidad & Tobago.

MORE U17 WNT CONCACAF COVERAGE