Now the US will play 11th-ranked Italy, the No. 5 team in European qualifying, in a home-and-home, total-goals series for the final berth.
The US, the 1991 and 1999 world champion and defending Olympic gold medalist, improved to 7-0 against Costa Rica with a 34-0 goal difference.
Cheney put the US ahead with a left-footed shot from about 16 yards that deflected past goalkeeper Dinnia Diaz. Lindsey passed to Cheney, who turned around a defender to open space and score her 11th international goal.
Wambach doubled the lead in the 33d minute. Lindsey floated a pass over the defense as Wambach broke in. Wambach volleyed the ball home from 8 yards.
After Costa Rica’s Monica Malvassi hit a post in the 50th minute, the US went down the field and Wambach slotted a 15-yard shot past Diaz for her 117th goal in 147 international appearances, third on the American scoring list behind Mia Hamm (158) and Kristine Lilly (130). It was Wambach’s eighth goal in the qualifying tournament.
Bid role for Clinton
President Bill Clinton will take part in the final presentation of the US World Cup bid to FIFA’s executive committee Dec. 1. Clinton became honorary chairman of the US committee in May and traveled to the Cup in South Africa, where he met executive committee members. FIFA votes Dec. 2 on the 2018 and 2022 hosts.
