Summer Green’s hat-trick helped USA to a 6-0 win over The Gambia in Baku, on Tuesday in a game which saw five of the goals come in the second half.
The result ends The Gambia’s hopes of reaching the next round despite having a one more game to play against France while a win over Korea DPR will be enough to see USA through.
Albertin Montoya’s team led 1-0 at the break courtesy of Green’s 24th minute penalty after Brittany Basinger was fouled in the box.
However, USA struggled to create much in the way of clear-cut opportunities during the opening 45 minutes.
The floodgates opened after the restart, however, and it took a matter of seconds before Amber Munerlyn doubled their advantage after turning home Darian Jenkins’ left-wing cross.
Green made it 3-0 shortly after the hour mark, when her cross-cum-shot took a wicked deflection off Amie Jarju. Ten minutes later, her hat trick was complete when she applied a cheeky finish to a Jenkins cross.
There was still time for two more goals in the closing stages. Morgan Stanton profited from some excellent work from substitute Emily Bruder and Lauren Kaskie, while Payne completed the rout four minutes from time, keeping her cool with just the keeper to beat.
“During the first half we played too much like individuals. We were much better in the second half because we played as a unit. We will definitely have to do that to beat Korea DPR,” says Albertin Montoya, US coach fifa.com.
