Abby Wambach became only the fourth player in U.S. women's national team history to score five goals in a game, striking for all five goals in the second half of a 5-0 win over Ireland at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Four of the five goals were set up by Mia Hamm.
''All game I was telling her that we had to get her (a goal) so it's ironic that she kept giving me balls that I had to finish,'' said Wambach of her striking partner Hamm.
With the victory, the U.S broke its record for wins in a calendar year with 27, besting the 26 wins that the U.S. women earned in 2000. The USA, currently at 27-1-3 in 2004, has a chance to add to the record as it shoots to finish the 10-game Fan Celebration Tour with a perfect mark with three matches remaining.
GAME REPORT:
Oct. 23 in Houston
USA 5 Ireland 0. Goals: Wambach 47, 76, 79, 84, 90.
USA — Scurry (Luckenbill, 46), Mitts, Reddick (Markgraf, 46), Chastain, Rampone, Foudy (Hucles, 62), Boxx, Lilly, Parlow (Wagner, 46), Hamm, Wambach.
Ireland — Peters, Gibbons, Boyle, Deasley, Tracy (Richards, 76), O'Conner, Taylor, O'Brien, Kierans (Walsh, 90), Scanlan, O'Toole.
Referee: Kari Seitz (USA).
Att.: 16,991.