U-20 USWNT Qualifies for 2016 World Cup with 7-0 Win Over Honduras

The United States U-20 Women’s National Team locked up a spot at the 2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a 7-0 victory over Honduras Friday night while also advancing to the final of the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.

A feisty Honduran defense, bolstered by an impressive home crowd at the Olimpico Metropolitano, was able to frustrate the Americans for the first half hour, giving up few chances. The Americans proved to be too much, however, and broke through in the 32nd minute, thanks to Ashley Sanchez, who finished from close range off a cross from Jessie Scarpa.

Just three minutes later, the Americans had doubled their lead. The tournament's leading goal scorer, Mallory Pugh, added another tally to her account, slotting home a low cross off a corner kick play. Pugh would add a second goal in the 60th minute as well, clinically slotting the ball past the Honduran keeper. She now has seven goals in the tournament and has scored in each game the U.S. has played.

The Yanks made it 3-0 in the 38th, as Sanchez completed her brace, smashing home a shot from close range, following a nice ball over the top of the back line by Pugh.

Scarpa got in on the goal scoring in the 68th minute, putting home a cross by Sanchez from point-blank range. Substitute Marley Canales headed one home to make it 6-0, before an own-goal from Honduras closed out the scoring.

The win sets the U.S. up with a date with Canada in the final on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1). Canada has yet to concede a goal in this tournament, but was pushed to the brink in the day's earlier semifinal against Mexico. The Canadians advanced, 5-4 on penalties, after a goalless 120 minutes.

Mexico and Honduras will square off in the third-place match to determine who will get the final CONCACAF berth to the U-20 World Cup in Papua, New Guinea.