CONCACAF

If history is the most reliable gauge to forecast the U.S. women's performance in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, the Americans should breeze through the group stage and face a stiffer test in the semifinal stage, which will determine the two automatic berths to Germany next summer.

USA Women's World Cup qualifying campaign to begin in Mexico on Thursday against Haiti Steve Goff 2010

Abby Wambach scores 3 goals to help US beat Jamaica 6-0 in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying - USATODAY. com

Abby Wambach scores 3 goals to help US beat Jamaica 6-0 in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying 2008

U.S. gets rude Welcome, goodbye in CONCACAF - USATODAY. com

U.S. gets rude Welcome, goodbye in CONCACAF 2008

Abby Wambach scores 3 goals to help US beat Jamaica 6-0 in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying

Abby Wambach scores 3 goals to help US beat Jamaica 6-0 in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying 2008

El Tri, which finished second behind the United States in CONCACAF qualifying, goes into those games having won four straight and six of its last seven.

USATODAY.com - Mexico sets sights on World Cup semifinals 2006

Under Guimaraes, Costa Rica returned to the World Cup after an impressive qualifying run in CONCACAF, finishing first, ahead of the United

USATODAY.com - Milutinovic's latest team drops opener 2002

Both teams finished with identical records in CONCACAF qualifying, 5-3-2.

USATODAY.com - Notes: Familiar foe awaits 2002

The Chinese will open with Costa Rica, which edged out the U.S. team in CONCACAF qualifying this year.

USATODAY.com - U.S. draws Korea, Poland, Portugal 2001

The United States—like Mexico, another middle-to-upper tier soccer nation—is in something called CONCACAF, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.

A Plan to Improve U.S. Soccer Gabriele Marcotti 2011

The 24th Minute: It's called the CONCACAF Champions League skip to main

It's called the CONCACAF Champions League Duane Rollins 2009