U.S. to defend Women's World Cup title after securing qualification
Oct 14, 2018; Frisco, TX, USA; United States forward Alex Morgan (13) and her team celebrate the win over Jamaica in a 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) - World champions the United States will have a chance to defend their title at the 2019 Women's World Cup after a 6-0 win over Jamaica in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Championship on Sunday sealed their qualification.
In the other semi-final in Texas, Canada also grabbed their spot in next year's tournament in France with a 7-0 victory over Panama with captain Christine Sinclair scoring twice.
The top three teams from the Americas-region championship qualify for the World Cup. The U.S. play Canada in the final on Wednesday after Jamaica and Panama have fought it out for the other qualification spot in the third-place playoff.
Oct 14, 2018; Frisco, TX, USA; United States midfielder Lindsey Horan (9) and Tobin Heath (17) and Abby Dahlkemper (7) and Becky Sauerbrunn (4) and Kelley O'Hara (5) celebrate a goal by Heath against Jamaica during the first half of a 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The loser of that match will still have a chance to reach France, but will have to get past Argentina in an intercontinental playoff.
The U.S. are the most successful national team in women's soccer, having won the World Cup three times.
Canada reached the semi-finals of the tournament in 2003 and went out to England at the quarter-final stage on home soil in 2015.
Oct 14, 2018; Frisco, TX, USA; The United States team poses for a team photo before the game against Jamaica in a 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
(Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
Oct 14, 2018; Frisco, TX, USA; Jamaica defender Allyson Swaby (17) defends against United States forward Alex Morgan (13) during the second half of a 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsOct 14, 2018; Frisco, TX, USA; United States midfielder Lindsey Horan (9) and Tobin Heath (17) and Abby Dahlkemper (7) celebrate a goal by Heath against Jamaica during the first half of a 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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