USA women qualify for Olympics

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, March 3 (UPI) -- The United States women's soccer team qualified for the Athens Games Wednesday by defeating Costa Rica, 4-0, in the semifinals of the pre-Olympic tourney.

Kristine Lilly had a goal and assist and Aly Wagner, Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach also scored as the Americans gained their third consecutive Olympic berth. Women's soccer became an Olympic sport in 1996 at Atlanta.

The United States improved to 18

In Wednesday's first game, Mexico shocked Canada, 2-1, for its first Olympic soccer berth. In Friday night's meaningless finale, the United States will play Mexico.