BLAINE, Minn., July 21 (UPI) -- The United States women's soccer team roared out to an early lead Sunday while defeating Norway 4-0 in an international friendly.
Two assists and a goal from Tiffeny Milbrett combined with two goals from Cindy Parlow powered the U.S. to a 3-0 lead at halftime and sealed Norway's fate in hot and humid conditions.
Second-half sub Mia Hamm added her 130th career international goal in the 90th minute.
The game was a tune-up match for the women as they begin World Cup qualification for 2003 in September.
With temperatures at kickoff approaching 100 degrees on the field, the conditions seemed to favor the Americans as the Norwegians wilted early in the humidity. After the half-hour mark, both teams were clearly just trying to hold on and get out of the heat.
It took only 11 minutes for the Americans to get on the board, as Milbrett, running the counter after some initial Norwegian pressure, found Parlow cutting behind the defense for an easy header to make it 1-0.
Six minutes later, Milbrett blew by goalkeeper Astrid Johanssen, coming out to challenge, to sink a long, searching cross from Aly Wagner. Milbrett and Parlow would combine once more at the half-hour mark in a virtual replay of the first strike.
The U.S. improved to 14-18-2 lifetime against the Norwegians and is 1-2 against them this year, losing in both the Algarve Cup and in the Four Nations tournament. The USA is 6-2-2 overall this year.
