Summary US defeated Ireland 3-0 on Sunday in an exhibition match in preparation for the Women's World Cup.
SAN JOSE (AP) - Abby Wambach scored twice and the US defeated Ireland 3-0 on Sunday in an exhibition match in preparation for the Women s World Cup.
Defender Julie Johnston, who has made just 10 international appearances, added a goal to extend her scoring streak to three straight matches.
It was the Americans fifth straight shutout, and goalie Hope Solo added to her US record with the 83rd of her career. Wambach padded her career scoring record of 180 goals, and Sunday s match was her 44th with multiple goals.
The sold-out exhibition at San Jose s new Avaya Stadium was part of a send-off tour for the Women s World Cup, which starts next month in Canada. The Americans head to Carson, California, next Sunday for a match against Mexico.
For Mother s Day, the players brought their moms on the field for the pregame ceremony.
Wambach first scored in the 42nd minute, a short time after Irish defender Meabh De Burca got nailed by a ball straight to the face and crumpled in front of the goal. Wambach scored again on a header less than three minutes later on a cross from Carli Loyd. Johnston s goal came in the 54th minute.
There was a scary moment in the 63rd minute when Wambach collided with Irish goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke. Wambach s nose was bloodied, but she returned to the match less than three minutes later.
The United States was without forward Alex Morgan because of a bone bruise in her left knee. She will also miss next Sunday s game against Mexico.
US coach Jill Ellis said this week that Morgan is being held out as a precaution.
The United States was also without midfielder Tobin Heath because of a lingering left hamstring injury.
Megan Rapinoe was honored before the game for her 100th international match, which came April 4 when the US defeated New Zealand 4-0 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
The US usually gives the players a watch for their 100th cap, but Rapinoe asked that a donation be made to the charity iACT. And per US tradition, Rapinoe wore the captain s band against Ireland.
Lori Chalupny entered the game in the second half for her 100th career cap.
The US is now 11-0-0 all-time against Ireland, which is currently ranked No. 31 in the world and isn t among the 24 teams playing in the World Cup. The Irish roster included forward Stephanie Roche of the NWSL s Houston Dash.
The United States opens the World Cup on June 8 with a group play match against Australia in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Women s soccer s premier tournament is being played in six Canadian cities over the course of about a month, with the final set for July 5 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Americans are in Group D with Australia, Nigeria and Sweden.
A sellout crowd of 18,000 fans attended Sunday s match at the new home of the San Jose Earthquakes.
