Pugh, U.S. brilliant in final friendly ahead of Rio

Pugh slipped a left-footer between goalkeeper Dinnia Diaz and the near post in the 22nd minute (Colin E. Braley/AP)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Crystal Dunn scored in the 15th minute and Carli Lloyd had her 88th career goal to help the United States women’s team beat Costa Rica 4-0 on Friday night in its final game before the Rio Olympics next month.

Mallory Pugh and Christen Press also scored. The U.S. will face New Zealand on Aug. 3 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Dunn scored her second goal in two games, putting away a cross from Meghan Klingenberg. Moments later, Pugh slipped a left-footer between goalkeeper Dinnia Diaz and the near post in the 22nd minute. It was the 18-year-old Pugh’s third career goal.

Lloyd scored off a header in the 51st, and Press, who subbed on for Alex Morgan in the 63rd minute, capped the scoring in the 79th.

It was the 50th win for U.S. coach Jill Ellis.

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