f her three goals four minutes later. The Americans went on to rout Japan 6-1 in the Pool B contest Wednesday to earn a

RIO DE JANEIRO -- So much for the slow starts by the U.S. womens field hockey team.Melissa Gonzalez scored on a penalty corner 22 seconds into the teams match against Japan, and Katie Bam scored the first of her three goals four minutes later. The Americans went on to rout Japan 6-1 in the Pool B contest Wednesday to earn a slot in the quarterfinals.In their first two matches at the Olympics, the Americans struggled early before finishing strong to beat Argentina and Australia. This time, they avoided a sluggish start on a rainy, dreary evening with temperatures in the mid-60s.That was definitely a newer experience for us, Bam said. Weve been working on that. Today, we just got up there real fast, managed to get a corner. That gives you a bit of a confidence booster to continue to propel putting goals away.The Americans improved to 3-0 at the Olympics and leapfrogged Britain for the top spot in the pool by moving ahead in goal differential. The United States is plus seven, while the Brits are plus five. Britain defeated Argentina 3-2 earlier in the day to remain unbeaten.Really important game for us tonight, USA coach Craig Parnham said. Japan were a very, very difficult team. I thought we did a really good job and a professional job, of picking up another three points. And the plus-five goal difference is really helpful when were in pool play.The fifth-ranked Americans had no problem finding motivation to do their best against No. 2 Argentina and No. 3 Australia. Beating No. 10 Japan was a different type of challenge.Games like this are statement games for us, Bam said. Its easy to step up and play the people that are ranked higher than you. Its hard to step up and bury a team like we just did thats ranked lower than you.Katie Reinprecht scored late in the second period to make it 3-0 at halftime. Jill Witmer scored for the United States in the third period, and Bam scored twice in the fourth.Japan fell to 0-2-1.The United States will face India on Thursday, then close pool play with a showdown against Britain on Saturday. Bam said the Americans wont get ahead of themselves.While theres possibilities and our goal is to medal, our focus is each game, every game, to finish that particular game, Bam said.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP . Air Max 1 Scontate . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. Air Max 720 In Offerta . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. http://www.airmaxitaliascarpe.it/scarpe-air-max2-light-scontate.html . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. Air Max 97 Scontate . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Scarpe Air Max 97 Scontate . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite.Barcelona star Dani Alves says Alexis Sanchez has been a success at Arsenal because he is the teams protagonist. But it was Sanchezs virtuoso nature that meant he could not succeed at Barca, where Alves insists you need to completely understand the teams philosophy.The pair, who played together at the Nou Camp until Sanchez switched to the Gunners in 2014, will clash again in the Champions League quarter-final second leg in Catalonia on Wednesday, with Arsenal trailing 2-0 from the first leg at the Emirates. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Alves said: Alexis didnt fail at Barcelona but its hard to play here because you have to understand the playing idea.Hes a great player and I always knew that he would be a success when he left, especially if he went somewhere he would be the protagonist. Hes the kind of player who needs that.In the end, youre going to have the protagonism anyway but you have to understand that, at Barcelona, its not enough just to be a great player. You need to have a great understanding of the way Barcelona play and, if you do, then you will have a long career here. At 32 years old, Dani Alves says he still has ideas to one day play in England Those that come and go, and that doesnt mean theyre bad players.dddddddddddd They go somewhere else and they enjoy it because theyre beasts. But at Barcelona its not enough just to be a beast of a player.Pep Guardiola will take over at Manchester City this summer but Brazil international right-back Alves joked that he does not think his former manager will give him a call.Alves, 32, says he still has the desire to play in the Premier League, but said: I dont know when.I would like to play there - to experience what I have seen so many times from the sofa at home. The people experience football in England; the way there is a corner and its cheered like its a goal. I have always said that it was something that I wanted to do. Also See: Mertesacker: Arsenal lack bite Beckham defends Wenger Gomes: Arsenal like a small team Isco unsuited to Arsenal ' ' '