SAMANTHA Mewis scored once in each half and Carli Lloyd added a late goal as the United States dominated South Africa 3-0 on Sunday in a Women’s World Cup tune-up.
The victory at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, launched the Americans’ “Send-Off Series” of matches as they prepare to defend their title at the World Cup in France, which begins on 7 June.
Mewis opened the scoring in the 37th minute, finishing with a low shot inside the right post after Rose Lavelle slipped a ball into the top of the penalty area.
Mewis struck again in the second half, after South African keeper Kaylin Swart’s deflection of a cross from Megan Rapinoe wasn’t enough to keep the ball from a charging Mewis, who slotted it into the back of the net.
Lloyd buried an injury-time strike through three South African players to notch her 108th international goal.
The United States will take on New Zealand on Thursday in St. Louis and face Mexico on 26 May in Harrison, New Jersey before departing for France.
They open the World Cup in Group F against Thailand, Chile and Sweden, their first match against the Thai side on 11 June in Reims. – AFP
