WOMEN'S FRIENDLY: USA crushes Ireland, 5-0

• by Soccer America , Jul 23, 2006

Defender Cat Whitehill scored twice and forwards Heather OÆReilly, Abby Wambach and Natasha Kai also scored goals as the USA beat Ireland, 5-0, Sunday in San Diego. The game drew only 3,574 fans -- the smallest crowd ever to watch the U.S. women play in California.

ôWe scored five quality goals today,ö said U.S. head coach Greg Ryan, who moved to 16-0-4 at the helm of the United States. ôI am real happy with that and we created a lot of other chances as well. As you could see, we had a lot of young players on the field. Kristine Lilly wasn't here, Shannon Boxx was out with an injury. I don't think we quite had the rhythm with possession, but I am always happy to see the goals go in.ö

The USA plays Canada at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. on Sunday, July 30. The USA will also play on Aug. 27 against China at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. On Sept. 13, the USA will play at the new PAETEC Park in Rochester, N.Y., against Mexico. All three games will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

July 23 in San Diego

USA 5 Ireland 0. Goals:O'Reilly 20, Whitehill 39, 89, Wambach 62, Kai 74.

USA -- Solo, Mitts (Rampone, 69), Whitehill, Frimpong (LePeilbet, 75), Chalupny, Osborne (Miller, 46), Lloyd (Tarpley, 54), Wagner; Welsh (Kai, 46), OÆReilly (Rapinoe, 69), Wambach.

Ireland -- Byrne (Peters, 77), Boyle (Griffin, 89), Deasley (Caldwell, 68), Moran; OÆConnor, Hughes, Grant, Thomas (OÆGorman, 71), Hislop (Scanlon, 89), Taylor, OÆToole (Scherick, 79).

Referee: Jen Bennett (USA).

Att.: 3,574.