Nikki Serlenga’s first career hat trick powered the U.S. women to its second straight rout, 8-0 over Costa Rica, in the first Women’s Gold Cup. The match at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky., featured five different starters from the June 23 thrashing of Trinidad & Tobago. The USA victory, combined with Brazil’s 11-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago, means that the winner of the match between the two 1999 Women’s World Cup semifinal opponents on Tuesday at Foxboro Stadium (8 p.m. ET — ESPN) will win Group A and earn a berth in the semifinals against the second-place team in Group B. If Brazil and the USA should draw that match, both teams would be even on the three tournament tie-breakers — head-to-head, goal difference and goals scored — meaning that lots would be drawn to determine the order of finish in the group. Both teams have earned a berth in the semifinals at Papa John’s Stadium on July 1. U.S. head coach April Heinrichs gave starts to Sara Whalen, Danielle Slaton, Susan Bush, goalkeeper Jenni Branam and Serlenga, and got high level production from each, with the 19-year old Bush dishing off for four consecutive assists in the second half. “It’s very difficult to come back after scoring 11 goals against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday and put on a similar performance,” Heinrichs said. “But it’s tribute to the individual and team discipline, and the commitment to pursue excellence, that we came after them today.” Brazilian forward Katia, a former elite track & field hurdler in South America, was unstoppable against T & T, scoring seven of her team’s 11 goals, and could have easily gotten 10, but for several near misses. Her striker partner Roseli has three goals in the tournament. Women’s Gold Cup June 25 in Louisville, Ky. United States 8, Costa Rica 0. Goals: Serlenga 11, 53, 64, MacMillan 12, Bush 22, Welsh 47, 81, Whalen 83. USA — Branam, Pearce, Fawcett, Chastain, Slaton, Serlenga, Fair (Foudy, 46), MacMillan, Bush, Whalen, Parlow (Welsh, 46). Costa Rica — Herra, Madriz, Murcia, Palma, Barrantes, Briceno (Lopez, 32), Castro, Contreras, Carmona, Duran (Aguilar, 35), Alvarez. Ref.: Charline Samson-Ras (Aruba). Att.: 7,043. CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup 2000 Group A
| Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | P |
| USA | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | +19 | 6 |
| Brazil | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | +19 | 6 |
| Costa Rica | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | -16 | 0 |
| T&T | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 22 | -22 | 0 |
Schedule June 23 — Hershey, Pa. Brazil 8, Costa Rica 0 USA 11, Trinidad & Tobago 0 June 25 — Louisville, Ky. Brazil 11, Trinidad & Tobago 0 USA 8 vs. Costa Rica 0 June 27 — Foxboro, Mass. Costa Rica vs. Trinidad & Tobago USA vs. Brazil
Group B | Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | P |
| China | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | +14 | 3 |
| Canada | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 |
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 0 |
| Guatemala | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | -14 | 0 |
June 24 — Foxboro, Mass. China 14, Guatemala 0 Canada 4, Mexico 3 June 26 — Herhsey, Pa. Mexico vs. Guatemala China vs. Canada June 28 — Louisville, Ky. Guatemala vs. Canada China vs. Mexico
