The U.S. women's national team overcame a humdrum first half, scoring three times in the second half — including Mia Hamm's 149th international goal and the first by Lori Chalupny — to beat Mexico, 3-0, in a friendly in Albuquerque, N.M.

Cindy Parlow also tallied, and Shannon Boxx dominated play in the center of the field as 17,805 at University Stadium watched the Americans win for the 13th straight time against the Tricolores.

The Americans utilized a 4-3-3 formation, and Coach April Heinrichs emptied her bench, fielding all 18 players she took to Albuquerque for the first U.S. match in New Mexico.

Abby Wambach was dangerous up front throughout, especially on air balls, but Mexico's strong defensive effort in its box and a solid performance by goalkeeper Jennifer Molina prevented the big forward from capitalizing.

The U.S. women found themselves stretched too far and, seemingly struggling with the altitude — more than 5,300 feet — not nearly mobile enough through the first 45 minutes. They dominated the second half, putting the game away on Cindy Parlow's redirection in the 52nd minute and Hamm's finish 12 minutes later.

''We were just getting used to the altitude, which was tougher than you think, so it took a while [to find a rhythm],'' Wambach said. ''Tactically, we made a few changes in terms of getting our midfielders closer to our forwards. All in all, we just started to play better together, and maybe it took having a half under our belts.

''We haven't played the 4-3-3 for a while, so it took time to adjust to that. We came out in the second half and pushed and played much better.''

The Americans outshot Mexico, 26-6 (10-1 shots on goal), taking 15 shots in the second half.

Hamm played the pivotal role on Parlow's goal, running onto a Kate Markgraf's ball up the left flank, taking it into the box, and laying it back as she neared the 6-yard box. Wambach, near the spot, tried to lunge for the ball but was wrong-footed. Foudy, behind her, played it to the goalmouth, where Parlow touched it into the net.

Hamm fired under Molina, the former Cornell University netminder, from a nifty diagonal pass by Wambach.

Chalupny, a junior-to-be at the University of North Carolina, hit a beautiful strike in the 87th minute. The natural left-footer settled a short pass from Boxx about 28 yards out, leaning to the right side of the 75-yard wide field. She then struck a knuckling, rising shot with her right foot that soared past Molina and into the upper-right corner.

The goal was Chalupny's first at the full international level, in her eighth appearance, although she has tallied at the U-21 and U-19 levels.

''[Chalupny is] such a good kid, and she wants to show me that she's not just here to be a training player and to make everyone better,'' said Heinrichs, who brought the St. Louis native on for Kristine Lilly in the 70th minute. ''She wants to show me she can make the team. That sort of moment, in terms of preparing that ball and striking it like that, even if it didn't go in, contribute to her taking steps to get closer to making the Olympic team.''

SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

May 9 at Albuquerque, N.M.

United States 3 Mexico 0. Goals: Parlow 52, Hamm 64, Chalupny 87.

United States — Scurry (Luckenbill, 78); Rampone (Chastain, 58), Mitts, Reddick, Markgraf; Foudy (Wagner, 70), Boxx, Lilly (Chalupny, 70); Parlow (Welsh, 58), Wambach (Tarpley, 77), Hamm (O'Reilly, 77).

Mexico — Molina; Gonzalez; Gomez, Castillo, Perez; Valderrama, Vergara, Leyva (Worbis, 81), Lopez (Nieva, 58); Mora (Saucedo, 68), Dominguez.

Yellow cards: Mexico — Dominguez 61.

Referee: Kari Seitz (U.S.).

Att.: 17,805.