USWNT rebounds from loss to Brazil, knocks off Argentina, 7-0

The US women’s national team bounced back from a 3-2 loss to Brazil on Sunday and thrashed Argentina, 7-0, on Thursday, a day after torrential rains and flooding of the stadium forced the game to be postponed.

Forward Christen Press led the scoring cavalry early on, netting herself a first-half hat trick (7th, 31st and 41st minutes), the first of her international career, before adding another in the second half (78th). Midfielder Carli Lloyd also nabbed her first international hat trick (23rd, 44th and 47th) as the USWNT did their part to qualify for the final of the International Tournament of Brasilia.

[ RELATED: USWNT learns 2015 World Cup fate — the “Group of Death” ]

With a Brazil win against China on Thursday night, the Americans will qualify for Sunday’s final of the four-nation mini-tournament, where they would get a much-desired grudge match against Marta and the Brazilians. Brazil have already qualified for the final, however, and are expected to play a reserves-heavy side against China.

UPDATE: Brazil beat China, 4-1, setting up a rematch in the final.

Since Thursday’s game was not televised in the United States, we’ll let the enthusiastic USWNT Twitter account from U.S. Soccer take it away:

Christen Press scores for the USA and it’s 1-0 in the 7th minute! Nice USA attack down right, Holiday spins a defender down the end line...

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

...Morgan Brian a nice dribble and shot that the ‘keeper saved, but Press was there to clean up the rebound. — U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

And Lloyd scores to make it 2-0! Nice combo in the right side box and she forces ball past ‘keeper, who got a piece, from 10 yards out. — U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

And Lloyd scores again! This time off a chipped cross from Brian from the left. Lloyd header makes it 3-0 in the 30th minute. — U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

And Press makes it 4-0! Nice cross from Kriger on the right and Press flicks the ball into the net at the near post. — U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

And we have a correction. Second goal was Press not Lloyd! We are high up here at Mane Garrincha Stadium. That’s a hat trick for Press!

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

And Lloyd makes it 5-0! Fantastic dribble from Chalupny in left side of box. Beats a defender, crosses on ground all the way traffic...

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

...and Lloyd slams it home from close range! — U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

USA goal in the 47th minute! It’s Lloyd and we’ve got two hat tricks tonight! — U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

Cross from the left side flew all the way past the far post. O’Reilly kept it alive, knocking it up in the air and Lloyd with a full volley!

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

Goal! @mPinoe‘s cross is spilled by the ‘keeper and @ChristenPress taps it in from close range! #USWNT 7, ARG 0

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) December 18, 2014

USWNT lineup

Alyssa Naeher, Ali Krieger, Becky Sauerbrunn, Whitney Engen, Lori Chalupny, Lauren Holiday, Carli Lloyd, Morgan Brian, Christen Press, Abby Wambach, Tobin Heath
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