SAN JOS, United States, Sept 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Carli Lloyd struck twice as the United States warmed up for next month’s Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a 4-0 rout of Chile on Tuesday.
Lloyd grabbed her 101st and 102nd international goals as the US women proved too strong for the Chileans, who had suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Americans in a friendly last Friday.
The US women were set on the road to victory in the 34th minute when Mallory Pugh bundled in a rebound from a missed Alex Morgan penalty attempt at San Jose’s Avaya Stadium in California.
Talented playmaker Tobin Heath then made it 2-0 for the reigning world champions, punishing lax marking in the Chilean penalty area to lash home a finish into the roof of the net.
The win extended the US women’s unbeaten streak to 21 games and leaves Jill Ellis’s side brimming with confidence as they look ahead to next month’s qualifiers.
The US women launch the final round of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup on October 4 against Mexico in North Carolina.