JACKSONVILLE — Coming off a debut victory for newly-appointed head coach Vlatko Andonovski in Columbus on Thursday night, the United States Women’s National Team closed out its historic 2019 campaign with a 6-0 win over Costa Rica on Sunday night.

Carli Lloyd, who nabbed a pair of goals against Sweden three nights ago, scored early for the United States, and Morgan Brian, who was born roughly an hour away from Jacksonville, added a goal of her own as the U.S. cruised to victory in front of an announced crowd of 12,914 at TIAA Bank Field.

The win closes out a year that saw the national team go 20-1-3, including their record fourth World Cup victory in France last time.  The U.S. goes into 2020 riding a 23-match unbeaten streak. Additionally, they’re now 2-0 in the Vlatko Andonovski era.

The United States wasted no time getting on the score sheet as Rose Lavelle hit Lloyd with a perfectly played through-ball to the 37-year-old making a run down the left side of the field, as the Sky Blue FC forward curled home the shot to make it 1-0 in the 4th minute.

Lavelle, who dazzled all over the field throughout the night, was in the middle of things once again six minutes later when she set up Brian in the 10th minute, doubling the United States’ lead to 2-0.

The U.S. racked up their opportunities throughout the first half, but we unable to add another on the Costa Rican defense before the end of the first 45 minutes.

Lynn Williams, who came into the game at halftime for Lloyd, grabbed her first of two goals in the night in the 50th minute off an assist from Tobin Heath to stretch the lead to 3-0. After Christen Press scored to make it a 4-0 game six minutes later, moments after banging a shot off the shot, Williams finished her brace with a blast from close range, adding the 5th U.S. goal of the night.

Margaret Purce, on her debut with the U.S., scored in the 86th minute on a shot from a tight angle the looked to have taken a deflection off a defender before floating into the back corner of the net.

The United States will return to action in January, when it begins Group A play against Haiti on January 28 as they kick off the qualifying process for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Scoring Summary

4′ – Carli Lloyd (USA)

10′ – Morgan Brian (USA)

50′ – Lynn Williams (USA)

56′ – Christian Press (USA)

68′ – Lynn Williams (USA)

86′ – Margaret Purce (USA)

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