The U.S. Women's soccer team is with no doubts, an example of how much the sport can develop if investments and dedication are put together. That was used as an inspiration by many other countries to create a favorable environment for women's soccer around the world.

Who could ever imagine 10 years, or even 5 years ago, that Costa Rica would become a tough challenge in the USA's path for the 2008 Olympic Games?

Not that the Costa Ricans played beautifully or anything but they worked out as well as they could defensively in order to stop Lindsay Tarpley, Natasha Kai, Carly Lloyd and Abby Wambach. And should we mention the great performance by goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia.

The US Women's Team created inumerous chances to score but most of them ended up blocked by the bunked Costa Rican defense or saved by Tapia.

But in the end the intense attack paid off. In the 58th minute Natasha Kai received a low cross from Tobin Heath - who had replaced Lindsay Tarpley in the beginning of second half - and the Hawaiian smacked it hard into the goal! USA 1, Costa Rica 0

The United Statyes kept their players up, pressuring Costa Rica's defense and at minute 73 Natasha Kai headed a cross from Carly Lloyd, Pricilla Tapia couldn't hold it and the ball found Heather O'Reilly's foot. USA 2, Costa Rica 0.

Only then the Ticas decided to risk some attacking plays forcing Hope Solo to work a little.

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And with a little bit more space and the speed of Amy Rodriguez on the field (she came in for Abby Wambach), the USA scored again on added time. Natasha Kai (the name of the game in my opinion) received a pass from Angela Hucles and slammed the ball into the goal.

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3-0 the final score. The Costa Ricans showed a lot of improvement but it's the USA that gets their ticket to the 2008 Olympic Games. Now they play again on sunday for the CONCACAF title against the winner of Canada x Mexico.

Beijing, here we go!!!

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Let's GO USA!!! Let's win this third Gold Medal!!! 

USA WOMEN'S TEAM 

The US Women's National Soccer Team plays against Jamaica today in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The match is valid for the CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Twenty players were picked out of the twenty-six that were part of the group that's been practicing at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Even though the team is largely the favourite, Coach Pia Sundhage and midfielder Shannon Boxx made it clear to me that they should count on that because women's soccer had been developing very fast everywhere.

But last night Jamaica played against Mexico in the opening match of the tournament and were severely beaten 8-1. So thing are looking good for our girls. The game will start at 7:30pm (PT)

2008 U.S. CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Roster:
GOALKEEPERS: 24-Nicole Barnhart, 18-Hope Solo
DEFENDERS: 2-Rachel Buehler, 17-Lori Chalupny, 14-Stephanie Cox, 13-Tobin Heath, 15-Kate Markgraf, 3-Christie Rampone, 4-Cat Whitehill
MIDFIELDERS: 7-Shannon Boxx, 16-Angela Hucles, 11-Carli Lloyd, 12-Leslie Osborne, 5-Lindsay Tarpley, 10-Kacey White
FORWARDS: 8-Lauren Cheney, 6-Natasha Kai, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 19-Amy Rodriguez, 20-Abby Wambach

*** You can click here to see my interview with Amy Rodriguez, Shannon Boxx and Pia Sundhage ***

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DAVID BECKHAM AND THE LA GALAXY

After the 2-0 win last night over the recently rebuilt San Jose Earthquakes all I can say is HOLD YOUR HORSES!!! I mean, don't go jumping to conclusions that because Landon Donovan is back the team will now become this super team and win all the next matches and so...

We cannot forget that the team started the season losong 4-0 to Colorado and even before that, the pre-season was not very successful either. The choice of going to Asia was already bad as a learning preaparation for the team (financially it was probably great) and the lack of better players on the roster is an indication that this season will not be much easier for the Galaxy.

*** Click here to watch Beckham's opening goal last night at the Home Depot Center ***

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 MORE MLS 

The first week was already intense with a good number of goals and some surprises like the 3-0 win of New England over the two time Champions Houston Dynamo. Of course it tasted like revenge for the Revolution and they surely didn't expected to be defeated 4-0 last night by a well balanced Chicago Fire lead by "grandpa" Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Maykel Galindo (picture) saved Chivas USA from a defeat last saturday with an equalizer goal at the 84th minute against Dallas FC. This weekend the team will visit Real Salt Lake that also tied 1-1 in their first match against Chicago Fire.

***Click here to watch Galindo's saving goal for Chivas USA ***