Football: U.S. women beat Kiwis in World Cup warm-up
FRANCE: Carli Lloyd scored a brace of goals as the United States women trounced New Zealand by 5-0 in a friendly match in St Louis on Thursday, to extend their winning run to five games ahead of their World Cup title defence in France.
The U.S. were on the defensive for much of the first half but hit New Zealand with a two-goal burst before the break and punished the Kiwis later.
Tobin Heath opened the scoring at 34 minutes when she side-footed home from close range to complete a nice move started down the left.
Rose Lavelle doubled the lead five minutes later when she finished off with a similar move and cross from the left flank.
Winners of the 1991, 1999 and 2015 World Cups, the U.S. will play Mexico on May 26 before heading to France to face Group F opponents Thailand, Chile and Sweden.
New Zealand open their World Cup against the Netherlands on June 11 before facing Canada and Cameroon.
The tournament kicks off on June 7 when hosts France play South Korea.
Reuters
