Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Mia Hamm scored two first-half goals and chipped in with an assist as the U.S. crushed Nigeria, 5-0 in Group A World Cup action at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday.
The Americans almost assured themselves a spot in the quarterfinals as they are out to a dominating 2-0 start. They will close out the first round on Sunday against North Korea, while Nigeria (0-2) will finish up against Sweden.
Hamm scored twice in the first 12 minutes -- one on a penalty kick -- to give the U.S. an insurmountable, 2-0 halftime advantage.
Cindy Parlow, Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy each added second half goals as the U.S. coasted to victory.
With her two first-half goals, Hamm now has a world-leading 144. The assist to Parlow was her fourth of the tournament so far in just two matches.
The U.S. caught a break early as Cindy Parlow was taken down roughly in the area by Bunmi Kayode. Hamm converted the penalty kick, grounding the ball past Nigeria 'keeper Precious Dede to the near side of the net.
Hamm doubled the Americans lead in the 12th minute with a long-distance free kick. No one touched the ball and Dede was hopeless as the freak kick sailed into the net.
Just two minutes into the second half, Hamm sent a corner from the near side to an unmarked Parlow who sent the header easily past Dede for the goal. It was Parlow's 63rd career international goal and Hamm's fourth assist of the tournament.
In the 65th minute, the physical Wambach set up deep in the area and kicked home a cross from Kristine Lilly. It was Wambach's first World Cup goal in her first appearance.
Foudy joined the party in the 88th minute on a penalty kick after Wambach was taken down just inside the area by Nigeria's Florence Omagbemi. The U.S. captain had to take the kick twice as she was called for stopping her momentum on the first attempt. Foudy had little trouble with the second chance as she blasted it off the crossbar and into the net.
Nigeria had a great chance to get on the board in the 61st minute as Akide played a beautiful cross into the area for Perpetua Nkwocha. However, Nkwocha couldn't catch up to it in time and her attempt went wide.
Early on, Nigeria tried to attack the U.S. defense, slightly weakened by the loss of Brandi Chastain to injury. However, once the U.S. was awarded the penalty, Nigeria appeared to back off on their approach and went on the defensive.
The Americans played much of the first half in the Nigeria end with a dominating 12 scoring chances. Lilly nearly tripled the U.S. lead but her blistering shot was saved by Dede in the 36th minute.
Parlow nearly put the U.S. ahead again, but Dede came through with another brilliant parry on the American's header in the 40th minute.
MATCH NOTES: The U.S. has dominated Nigeria in two previous occasions, winning both by a combined score of 10-2.
