Rodriguez, O'Hara help send national teams to semifinals

Sky Blue FC players Raquel Rodriguez and Kelley O’Hara both helped their national teams, the Costa Rica Women's National Team and the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) respectively,  win their Olympic-qualifying games on Monday, Feb. 15.

Both teams advance to the semifinals for a chance to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Raquel Rodriguez’s two goals, one in the 9' and a penalty kick in the 50', were enough to hold off a late-charging Mexico, 2-1.

Rodriquez, the second overall pick in the 2016 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) college draft and the 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, managed to put the Central American country in the semifinals for the second straight CONCACAF qualifying tournament.

In 2012, Costa Rica faced the United States in the semifinals and lost 3-0. This time they will face Canada.

Maribel Dominguez was the sole scorer for Mexico. This marks the first time Mexico will not make the semifinals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.

In the second game of the day, O’Hara took the field for the United States against Puerto Rico. The USWNT had already secured a spot in the semifinals with their 1-0 win over Mexico on Saturday, Feb. 13.

In her first appearance in these qualifiers, O'Hara was in the U.S.'s starting lineup at right outside back. However, she often managed to get forward, playing an important part in the attack.

In the 45', O’Hara backheel-flicked a pass from Stephanie McCaffrey into the goal, putting the United States up 4-0. O'Hara also took corner kicks for the USWNT, a role she often performs for Sky Blue FC.

The USWNT defeated Puerto Rico 10-0. They next face Trinidad and Tobego, who they played in a December match-up during the Victory Tour.

Also of note in the U.S. game was forward Crystal Dunn, netting five goals to tie the USWNT record of most goals in a game. Dunn plays in the NWSL for the Washington Spirit.

Both the United States and Costa Rica play again on Feb. 19 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Costa Rica plays at 5:30 PM EST, and the United States plays at 8:30 PM EST.