U.S. women rout Mexico in final test before World Cup

By Jamie Trecker SportsTicker Contributing Editor

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) - The U.S. women's national soccer team concluded its preparations for the Women's World Cup on Sunday with an easy 5-0 win over Mexico at Spartan Stadium.

Five different players scored for the Americans, three on penalty kick attempts and two with assists from captain Julie Foudy.

Despite the fact that this was a more competitive game than many the U.S. partake in Mexico actually crossed the halfway line.

The Mexicans did not lay back and forced Briana Scurry to make a save or two, but could not get it past the goalkeeper.

It was the ninth straight loss for the Mexicans against their rivals to the North, who open their World Cup campaign September 21 against Sweden. The Mexicans conceded 10 corners and were outshot 35-3.

Once again, the story was newcomer Shannon Boxx, who scored her second goal in as many games with the national team in the 10th minute to get the U.S. on the board.

Foudy drove a ball into the box off a corner kick that was subsequently flicked on by a Mexican defender to Boxx, who drove it past goalkeeper Jennifer Molina to the left post.

"She's the type of player you love to play with," said Foudy. "We're glad she's with us."

Boxx joined an elite group with the goal scored. Only Michelle Akers and Natalie Neaton scored a goal in each of their first two starts with the national side.

Abby Wambach added the second goal in the 25th minute from about 18 yards when she collected a midfield ball from Foudy, turned inside and fired past Molina with a long, curving ball that skated to the side netting.

Brandi Chastain iced the game in the 55th minute when she converted a penalty kick attempt following a foul on Kristine Lilly in the box at the endline.

Mia Hamm got her 142nd international goal in the 62nd minute on another penalty kick attempt after a Mexican defender handled the ball in the area.

And Aly Wagner got the third penalty goal in the 85th minute after Wambach was knocked down on a breakaway.

The three converted penalty attempts in a half was a record for the U.S. women's national team.

Yet, in victory, coach April Heinrichs was critical of her team's effort.

"I'm a little disappointed in our focus in our ability to get wide and get possession on the flanks," Heinrichs said. "We didn't have the intensity we had against Costa Rica, because of fatigue, but did do some dynamic things. We're missing too many chances, and we have to put them away."

Scurry was forced to leave the game for backup Siri Mullinx in the 70th minute after a collision with Monica Gonzalez flattened her at the edge of her area. Kylie Bivens was ejected in the 84th minute, leaving the U.S. a woman down for the final six minutes of play.

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