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On Tuesday, in front of a home crowd of nearly 13,000, Breakers forward Sydney Leroux humiliated a reeling Mexican side, leading the U.S. Women with four first-half goals. Leroux's squad collected seven tallies on the night, handing Mexico a humbling 7-0 defeat.
In the opening stages of Tuesday's hot and humid friendly, the United States asserted full control, using an 11th minute goal from Abby Wambach to take an early 1-0 lead. With space on the left-hand side, midfielder Kristie Mewis collected a pass, turned toward the center of the field, and slotted a well-timed ball onto the Wambach's left foot. From just inside the penalty area, Wambach lofted a shot over Mexican goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago and inside the far post.
From Wambach's goal forward, Leroux took over.
Goal One
In the 21st minute, Wambach collected a pass inside the 18, turned, and fired a shot toward Santiago's right side. The Mexican goalkeeper stretched to make a strong save, though the rebound floated onto Leroux's far-post run. The young forward calmly headed the ball into an open net, doubling the United States' one-goal advantage.
Goal Two
With space in the attacking third, Wambach received a pass with her back to goal. A creative heel flick led midfielder Lauren Holiday through Mexico's back line and into a dangerous goal-scoring position. With poise, Holiday strode into the arc and sent a low shot toward Santiago's left. The keeper reacted quickly and made the initial save, though once again failed to parry the shot away from Leroux. The speedy forward followed the play and patiently passed the rebound into an open net, scoring her second goal in less than a minute of play.
Goal Three
In the 30th minute, Hope Solo played a long ball out of the box and into the attacking third, where Wambach won possession with a strong header. Her pass found Leroux, who made an overlapping run toward Mexico's back three. The NWSL standout made an impulsive decision to take on all three defenders, carrying the ball into the left side of the box. With a crowd in front of her - and one defender draped on her side - Leroux lost her balance and placed a soft shot onto the far post. Her attempt forced Santiago to switch momentum from right to left, sending the Mexican goalkeeper stumbling and crawling toward the slow-rolling shot. In the end, Leroux completed the hat trick, helping the U.S. earn a 4-0 lead.
Goal Four
With a 4-0 lead in the 41st minute, Lauren Holiday prepared for a free kick on the right-hand side. Holiday swung a flawless ball into the 18-yard box, where Leroux rose above her defender and finished the header with ease.
In the second half, Leroux's running mates contributed two goals of their own, adding a 55th minute second-chance goal from Rachel Buehler and a 72nd minute deflection from University of Virginia standout Morgan Brian. The 7-0 drubbing marked the States' largest victory over rival Mexico, matching the team's 7-0 win on January 12, 2002.
Team USA will now enter a six-week hiatus before meeting in mid-October for a series of fall friendlies.
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