Kai nets Americans berth in Olympics

Apr 10, 2008 - 5:21 AM CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (Ticker) -- Natasha Kai scored twice and set up a third goal as the United States women's soccer team tallied three times in the second half to defeat Costa Rica, 3-0, on Wednesday in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.

The Americans, who earned an automatic berth in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing with the victory, will play Canada in the championship game on Saturday.

Melissa Tancredi scored the game's lone goal as the Canadians earned their first Olympic berth in women's soccer by blanking Mexico, 1-0, on Wednesday.

After a scoreless first half, Kai broke through in the 57th minute to put the Americans on the scoreboard.

"Of course it was a great feeling when you score goals, especially the first one, because then we knew Costa Rica had to attack," United States coach Pia Sundhage said. "But I have to say, we have to be smarter, and I think we were smarter in the second half.

"They were so tight centrally, so we needed to go wide. We needed to use the flanks better and that's why we changed the system a little bit. We had Heather O'Reilly and Tobin Heath on each side, and I think that changed the game."

O'Reilly doubled the Americans' advantage in the 72nd minute after Costa Rica goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia had trouble controlling the ball. O'Reilly tapped the loose ball into the net for her 19th international goal.

Kai added her second tally of the game - and fourth of the tournament - in the 89th minute to seal the victory.