U.S. women

Parlow, Wambach, Lilly score to lead 3-0 victory over Iceland.

PITTSBURGH (Wednesday, September 29, 2004) -- First half goals by 5-foot-11 strikers Cindy Parlow and Abby Wambach, and the 99th goal of midfielder Kristine Lilly's career after intermission, propelled the United States women to a 3-0 triumph over Iceland tonight before 6,386 at Heinz Field.

Unlike Saturday night, when these two nations met in Rochester, N.Y., tonight the Americans were able to protect a three-goal advantage. On Saturday, the U.S. saw a 3-0 lead disappear over five minutes in the second half with defender Heather Mitts saving the U.S., scoring in the final seconds of stoppage time for a 4-3 decision.

The Americans went ahead 1-0 after 85 seconds tonight when Wambach collected a poor Iceland clearance on the left flank, carried past midfielder Gudlaug Jonsdottir and chipped a cross into the middle, Parlow, with her back to the goal, flicked the ball with her right foot as she spun toward net and sent a shot past goalkeeper Thora Helgasdottir from eight yards.

Parlow "was standing on her left peg with her back to the goal and she flicked the ball somehow into the net," Wambach said. "It was a phenomenal goal. That's my goal of the year right now."

Parlow became the fifth U.S. player to reach 70 career goals, joining Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Tiffeny Milbrett and Lilly

Parlow returned the favor 15 minutes later, sending a long ball down the right side to the sprinting Wambach, who held off one defender on the outside and then popped the ball over the head of a another closing defender into the middle of the field. Wambach crushed a left-footed half-volley over Helgadottir's head from 20 yards to make it 2-0.

It was Wambach's team-leading 21st goal of the year, tying Tiffeny Milbrett for the second most goals in a calendar year by an American woman. Michelle Akers had 39 in 1991.

"Right now, it's not necessarily about winning, although it's always nice," said Wambach who has 35 career tallies. "We always want to play well and entertain the fans and keep soccer growing in this country, and going around the country on this tour is a great way of doing that."

After its impressive comeback Saturday, Iceland showed little punch tonight, putting only one shot on goal, that in the second half. Iceland was most dangerous when Helgadottir booted balls from her box into the U.S. penalty area with Margret Vidarsdottir also requiring some marking from the U.S. backs.

The U.S. went ahead 3-0 in the 61st minute when midfielder Angela Hucles sent a skipping pass through the box to Lilly in the left side of the box. Off her first touch, Lilly cracked a left-footer off the bottom right of the crossbar and into the net.

With one more goal, Lilly will join just four other players - Hamm, Akers and two Italians as the only players to reach 100 goals in international competition.

The U.S. is 22-1-3 for 2004, closing in on the record 26 victories of 2000. Eight matches remain this year with New Zealand the opponent Sunday at PGE Park in Portland, Ore., at 8 p.m. (ET). Hamm took tonight off to attend to personal business, but will rejoin the team in Portland.

Referee: Riabel Trujillo (Peru). Assistant referees: Karalee Sutton (United States), Martha Sinclair (United States). Attendance: 6,386 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Weather: Cool, cloudy 64 degrees.