CONCACAF Rio 2016 Bound!

28 Feb

The 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship wrapped up on February 21 with more whimper than bang. Unless you were on the USA team then you may have a few bruises which would suggest otherwise. Nevertheless, as expected the final featured USA vs Canada and while the former team showed up to play, the latter, well, were tactically wanting. And that’s all I’ll say on this particular topic.

Fifteen matches played. 78 goals scored (average of 5.2 per goal). 38 different goal scorers. Two qualifying teams. One malfunctioning confetti machine. All in a couple weeks work for these kick-ass women.

Final Standings
First: USA (4th title-2004,2008,2012)
Second: Canada
Third: Costa Rica
Fourth: Trinidad and Tobago
Fifth: Mexico
Sixth: Guyana (won their first CONCACAF match ever)
Seventh: Guatemala
Eighth: Puerto Rico

Awards
Golden Boot: Morgan Brian (USA)
Golden Ball: Crystal Dunn (USA)
Golden Glove: Hope Solo (USA)
Fair Play Award: USA
Best XI: Hope Solo (USA); Kelley O’Hara (USA); Becky Sauerbrunn (USA); Kadeisha Buchanan (CAN); Allysha Chapman (CAN); Tobin Heath (USA); Lindsey Horan (USA); Morgan Brian (USA); Ashley Lawrence (CAN); Alex Morgan (USA); Carli Lloyd (USA)

Match Highlights
It’s not possible to recap every match and all the goodness that happened in each one…Oooookkkkkay, it is “technically” possible. I, however, am lazy.

I know! You’ll have to make do with a few highlights pulled from the depths of the interweb. Check out the official CONCACAF website for full match recaps and player / team stories.

USA vs Costa Rica – 12 seconds to Morgan glory

Puerto Rico vs Mexico – Karly Gustafson channeling Casillas.