North Carolina's Nikki Washington and Casey Nogueira and Jessica McDonald of Phoenix College scored to give the USA a 3-0 win over Argentina to all but assure itself of a berth in the semifinals of the women's soccer competition at the Pan-American Games.

The USA was dealt a blow, however, when star Lauren Cheney was ejected with a straight red card in the 68th minute after retaliating for a hard foul by the Argentines. Cheney is definitely out for the final group match against Mexico and could miss the semifinal as well if the suspension be increased to two games.

GAME SUMMARY:
July 18 in Rio de Janeiro
USA 3 Argentina 0. Goals: Washington 20, Noguerira 44, McDonald 84.
USA -- Naeher, Taylor, Marshall, Fountain, Edwards, Enyeart (Wilmoth, 76), Heath, Washington (Wright, 72), Nogueira (McDonald, 79), Cheney, O'Hara.
Argentina -- Correa, Gonzalez, Cotelo, Chavez, Barbitta (Perez, 52), Huber (Gomez, 72), Coronel (Manicler, 68), Quinones, Ojeba, Vallejos, Potassa.
Red card: USA -- Cheney 68.