Wambach, Lloyd lead U.S. women’s soccer win

CHICAGO -- Forward Abby Wambach and midfielder Carli Lloyd each scored twice as the U.S. women routed New Zealand, 6-1, Sunday at Soldier Field in their next-to-last tuneup before next month’s women’s World Cup in China.

Wambach scored the game’s first and final goals and moved into fifth place among U.S. women with 77 career goals. The Americans, now 5-0 in a six-game pre-World Cup tour, peppered New Zealand goalie Jenny Bindon with 10 first-half shots while opening a 3-0 lead. New Zealand didn’t manage a shot until the 73rd minute.

Wambach’s first goal came in the seventh minute on a header after a long feed from defender Cat Whitehall. The U.S. women then scored twice in a two-minute span late in the half.

Lloyd, a 25-year-old midfielder-forward in her third season with the team, has seven goals this year while starting nine of 14 games.

“I’m learning and I’m growing as a player,” Lloyd said. “Whatever I can do to contribute to the team to help us win, that’s what I’m there for.”