U.S. SOCCER: U.S. stars go out with 5-0 win over Mexico

• by Soccer America , Dec 9, 2004

Aly Wagner and Abby Wambach scored two goals apiece to lead the United States to a 5-0 victory over Mexico Wednesday before 15,549 fans in the final international match for stars Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy. Defender Joy Fawcett, who did not play as she is recovering from back surgery, also bid farewell.

Hamm had two early assists, boosting her final U.S. totals to 158 goals and 144 assists in 275 career caps. For Foudy, the captain, the match was the 271st of her career.

''When the three of us were just hugging, we said that we will be in touch,'' said Foudy. ''This is more than just being teammates. This is a friendship for a lifetime, and that is what has been so special. We used to joke that we knew each other better than we knew our husbands and families -- and it's true. We've spent over half our lives together. This isn't the end, this is still just the beginning of a great friendship.''

The game marked the end of the 10-game ''Fan Celebration Tour.'' The U.S. finished with an 8-1-1 record. The U.S. record in 2004 is 28-2-4, with five victories over Mexico.

GAME REPORT

Dec. 8 in Carson, Calif.

USA 5 Mexico 0. Goals: Wagner 8, 66, Wambach 17, 24, Boxx, 44.

USA -- Scurry (Luckenbill, 82), Rampone, Markgraf, Reddick, Chastain (Mitts, 69), Boxx, Foudy (Tarpley, 84), Wagner (Hucles, 75), Lilly (Parlow, 72), Hamm (O'Reilly, 81), Wambach.

Mexico -- Tajonar, Gomez, Sandoval, Gonzales (Gutierrez, 74), Castillo, Romero, Vergara (Munoz, 82), Valderrama (Nieva, 90), Juarez (Mendoza, 75), Lopez (Padilla, 46), Worbis (Gordillo, 87).

Referee: Kari Seitz (USA).

Att.: 15,549.