The US Women's National Team punched their ticket to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing by defeating Costa Rica 3-0 in the semifinal of the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Women's Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday night.

High winds and a dust storm made it hard for either team to score in the first half. Costa Rica defended well in the box, but never challenged the American goal.

The breakthrough occurred in the 57th minute when Tobin Heath got past the defense on the left side before feeding Natasha Kai, whose shot from 10 yards out slipped through the keeper's hands and rolled into the net for a 1-0 US lead.

Shannon Boxx almost made it two only two minutes later, but her header went off the crossbar.

The US doubled the lead in the 72nd minute off of Carli Lloyd's free kick. which Kai headed on goal. Costa Rica keeper Priscilla Tapia grabbed it in the air, but fumbled while coming down and Heather O'Reilly knocked it in.

In the 89th minute, Angela Hucles set up the third goal for the US and the second for Kai. Hucles was about 10 yards out from the goal on the right side before passing to Kai, who smashed it into the net from eight yards out.

Canada defeated Mexico 1-0 in the other semifinal, meaning the US and Canada will play in the 2008 Olympics. The Yanks take on the Canucks in the CONCACAF Championship match on Saturday.

Scoring
USA - Natasha Kai 2 (Tobin Heath) 57'
USA - Heather O'Reilly 2 (Natasha Kai) 72'
USA - Natasha Kai 3 (Angela Hucles) 89'

Line-ups
USA - Hope Solo; Stephanie Cox, Christie Rampone, Cat Whitehill, Lori Chalupny; Heather O'Reilly (Angela Hucles 83'), Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley (Tobin Heath 46'); Natasha Kai, Abby Wambach (Amy Rodriguez 74')

CR - Priscilla Tapia; Vanessa Rojas, Karol Galves, Amanda Esquivel, Katherine Alvarado, Cristin Granados, Yuliana Rodriguez, Monica Malavassi, Laura Sanchez, Amara Wilson, Adriana Venegas (Megan Chavez 69')