U.S. seals automatic Women's World Cup qualification with win against Mexico

The U.S. beat Mexico 3-0 in the CONCACAF Championship semifinals, sealing automatic qualification for the 2015 Women's World Cup and avenging a painful upset from four years ago.

In 2010, the U.S. lost 2-1 to Mexico in this same stage of the tournament, forcing the heavily favored side to qualify for the last World Cup by way of a playoff against Italy. This time around, even with Alex Morgan injured and Abby Wambach starting on the bench, it was a very different story.

With captain Christie Rampone earning her 300th cap — the most of any active player in the world — the U.S. got off to a quick start. Carli Lloyd put away an easy header in just the sixth minute and scored a second from the penalty spot at the half hour mark. Christen Press scored the third in the 56th minute and Tobin Heath put in another Player of the Match worthy performance in midfield. The U.S. had golden chances to at least double the score, but the woodwork cruelly conspired against them.

The U.S. performances have gotten stronger as the tournament has gone on and Mexico just looked outmatched from the start. With Costa Rica beating Trinidad & Tobago on penalties earlier in the day, Sunday's CONCACAF Champions final is now set

Regardless of what happens in the final, the U.S. will now be in much better position ahead of the World Cup than they were four years ago. The team's depth in attack is something that will worry all of their opponents in Canada next year. The problem for the U.S. now is finding the right mix on the pitch against more evenly match opposition than they've seen within CONCACAF.

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Brooks Peck

is the editor of Dirty Tackle on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow on Twitter! Follow @BrooksDT