MONTERY, Mexico ( Associated Press) – Alex Morgan scored two goals in the first half as the US women’s national team beat Haiti 3-0 in the opening match of the CONCACAF W Championship on Monday night.
The tournament determines the field’s four direct berths in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Miz Purse also scored for the United States, which have won the last two World Cups.
Morgan opened the scoring for America in the 16th minute with a heel flick off a pass from Mallory Pugh who overtook Haiti goalkeeper Lara Larko.
Morgan scored the second goal on a header in the 23rd minute.
Haiti were awarded a penalty in the 42nd but Roslord Borgella’s effort hit the post and the carrom was away. Borghella was given a red card in the 45th, but the video review canceled the call and was given a yellow card.
The United States appeared to score on their own in the 78th, but Megan Rapinoe was ruled offside. Purse scored his fourth international goal in the 84th.
American coach Wlatko Andonovsky praised Morgan and said he was pleased with the result, although there are things to do before the Americans face Jamaica on Thursday.
“On the other hand, we missed a lot of chances, dropped penalty kicks. That’s something we’ll have to do better and add some things for the next game,” Andonowski said.
The eight teams are divided into two groups for the W Championship. The top two finishers in each group earn a World Cup berth. The third-place finishers in each group advance to the 10-team Intercontinental Playoffs to be held in New Zealand in February.
The winner of the W Championship also earns a spot in the 2024 Olympics.
Haiti has never qualified for the World Cup or the Olympics. In addition to the United States and Haiti, the group includes Jamaica and Mexico.
Canada, Costa Rica, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago are in the second group.
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