U.S. women score three times in second half to rout New Zealand, 4-0

ST. LOUIS — Meghan Klingenberg scored an early goal Saturday before the United States women’s team busted the exhibition game wide open with three more in the second half for a dominating 4-0 victory over New Zealand.

Lori Chalupny, Julie Johnston and Morgan Brian all scored in a span of five minutes in the second half for the U.S. in the World Cup warmup.

U.S. goalie Hope Solo had a light workload, as New Zealand was limited to two harmless corner kicks.

Attendance of 35,817 at Busch Stadium was the most ever for a women’s stand-alone friendly at home and the third biggest for a home friendly.

The U.S. has three more exhibitions prior to the World Cup, the next on May 10 against Ireland in San Jose, California.

Seeded second, the U.S. opens World Cup play June 8 against Australia in Winnipeg. New Zealand is ranked 17th.

The U.S. is 11-1-1 against New Zealand, the lone loss a 1-0 setback in the first meeting in 1987.

Klingenberg scored her second goal in 30 career games on a 25-yard drive in the 14th minute, capitalizing on a header clearing attempt by New Zealand.

Chalupny scored in the 76th minute, Johnston knocked in a header in the 78th minute and Brian scored off the far post in the 81st minute.

Chalupny, one of two St. Louis natives on the roster, and Brian were second-half reserves.

This was the first match for the U.S. since beating France 2-0 in the Algarve Cup final in early March.