The U.S. women cruised past Costa Rica 4-0 in their final tune-up for the Rio Games on Friday night in Kansas City, Kans. They got goals from two standbys and a pair of relative newcomers who could play significant roles in Brazil.
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Crystal Dunn (15th minute) and Mallory Pugh (22nd) opened the scoring for the U.S. before captain Carli Lloyd gave the Americans a 3-0 lead at the break by scoring in injury time at the end of the first half. Christen Press then closed it out in the 79th minute.
The U.S. heads to Rio after going 14-0-1 in 2016. The lone draw — 3-3 against 2015 World Cup finalist Japan on June 2 — was also the only time in the past six games the U.S. allowed a goal.
With its offense and defense clicking, the U.S. will be heavily favored to defend its Olympic gold in Rio. The Americans open pool play Aug. 3 against New Zealand in Belo Horizonte.
