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U.S.A.'s Heather O'Reilly (9) celebrates her... ((AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward))
VANCOUVER, British Columbia—Carli Lloyd scored the first of her three goals in the seventh minute, and Heather O'Reilly added a goal a minute later Tuesday night as the U.S. women's soccer team avenged one of its most shocking losses, beating Mexico 4-0 to move a major step closer to qualifying for the London Olympics. The win clinched first place for the U.S. in its group. Next up is the game that matters most, a London-or-bust semifinal against Costa Rica on Friday. The winner gets one of the two available berths for the Summer Games. The loser stays home.
Mexico will play Canada in the other semifinal.




Tuesday's win also eased the string from the Americans' 2-1 defeat to Mexico in a World Cup qualifier 14 months ago