Alex Morgan scored a hat-trick as the United States earned the right to defend their title at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Olympic champions United States earned the right to defend their title later this year after advancing to the final of the North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Women's Rio 2016 qualifier, alongside London 2012 bronze medallist Canada.

As the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup winners, the US  had been expected to qualify easily for the Olympic football tournament and they comfortably breezed past Trinidad and Tobago to earn the first of two berths available.

Their breakthrough came in the 12th minute of their semi-final clash at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium, with a low cross from Mallory Pugh alluded the Trinidad defence, with right winger Tobin Heath applying a composed finish from the edge of the box.

With the US having last conceded a goal at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers back in 2008, Trinidad faced an uphill struggle if they were to secure their first appearance at the Games.

Alex Morgan made their task all the greater after converting a Lindsey Horan knock-down from close range after 30 minutes.

The tie was over as a contest on the stroke of half-time when goalkeeper Kimika Forbes allowed a header from Carli Lloyd, the FIFA World Player of the Year, to slip through her grasp.

Morgan added a fourth after a goalmouth scramble from another American corner, with the striker then completing her hat-trick by sending a left foot volley beyond Forbes, inside the final 20 minutes.

America's 5-0 victory saw them reach the gold medal match, which will be a rematch of the London 2012 semi-final against Canada.

Two goals from Christine Sinclair helped Canada to secure their third straight participation at the women's Olympic tournament with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica in Houston ©Getty Images
Two goals from Christine Sinclair helped Canada to secure their third straight participation at the women's Olympic tournament with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica in Houston ©Getty Images

On that occasion Christine Sinclair had scored a hat-trick in a dramatic extra-time defeat and Canada’s record goalscorer proved key to their 3-1 victory over Costa Rica.

The 32-year-old, who moved to second on the women’s all-time international goalscoring list on Sunday (February 14), broke the deadlock after 17 minutes after controlling Josee Belanger’s cross and calmly firing beyond Dinnia Diaz.

Sinclair’s quality was on show at the start of the second half as with her back to goal, the Canadian flicked the ball into the air and volleyed into the net on the turn, from the edge of the Costa Rican box.

Desiree Scott handed Costa Rica a lifeline with 18 minutes of the tie remaining as the defenders clumsy tackle allowed Rodriguez Cedeño to pull a goal back from the penalty spot.

Deanne Rose made sure Canada would participate in the Olympic women's tournament for the third consecutive Games, with a breakaway goal five minutes from the final whistle.

The tournament is due to draw to a close on Sunday (February 21) with the Canada and the US seeking to claim gold in Houston.

Both teams will be looking to begin their preparations for Rio 2016, where they will joinColombia, France, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand and tournament debutants Zimbabwe.

Two Asian and one remaining European country will book their places at the 12-team event, alongside the host nation Brazil, when their qualifying tournaments end on March 9.