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United States' Abby Wambach kisses a soccer ball after scoring against South Korea during the first half of an international friendly soccer match at Red Bull Arena, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Harrison, N.J. With the goal, Wambach broke Mia Hamm's national goal-scoring record. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
HARRISON, N.J. >> Move over Mia Hamm. Abby Wambach is now the greatest goal scorer in international soccer.
Wambach scored four times in the first half to break Hamm’s record for international career goals with room to spare in a 5-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday night.
The four goals gave the 33-year-old Wambach 160, two more than Hamm had in a storied career that ended in 2004.
Wambach connected three times in the first 29 minutes to break Hamm’s mark of 158 international goals, and she added another in injury time to give her a nice round number.
The historic 159th came on a line-drive header that ripped into the twine in the back of the net off a corner kick by Megan Rapinoe.
“I’m just so proud of her,” Hamm said. “Just watching those four goals, that’s what she is all about. She fights for the ball, she’s courageous and she never gives up. Her strength and perseverance is what makes her so great and it’s what defenders and opposing teams fear.
“From being her teammate early in her career, I know all she ever wanted to do was win, and she continues to do that. I’m just glad I got to share 158 with her. It was short, but it was fun.”
After the record-setting goal, Wambach turned and ran a couple of steps in the direction of the U.S. bench, then stopped as Rapinoe jumped into her arms. The Rochester, N.Y., native was then mobbed by teammates on the field and those who streamed off the bench as the crowd of 18,961 at Red Bull Arena cheered wildly.
After the hugs, Wambach turned to the stands and blew a kiss toward her parents, Judy and Peter.
Chants of “Ab-bee, Ab-bee, Ab-bee,” cascaded through the stadium as officials got the ball and gave it to the U.S. bench.
The four goals in the friendly were the second most by Wambach in an international game, and will allow the spotlight that has followed her in her chase of Hamm’s record to finally dissolve.
Her first goal Thursday came on a shot in the box past South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi in the 10th minute. The second came nine minutes later in the friendly on a flicking header.
Lauren Cheney set up the first two goals on crossing passes on plays that Wambach eluded Korean defender Shim Seo-yeon.
Wambach’s fourth goal was an easy tap-in after Alex Morgan made a run down the right side and centered the ball to the on-rushing Wambach, the 2012 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year.
Wambach had a chance for a fifth goal, which would have tied her single-game record, but she could not get her head on a cross early in the second half.
Wambach was given a standing ovation by many in the crowd when she was replaced in the 58th minute by Christen Press. Before leaving the field, she exchanged hugs with long-time teammates Rapinoe, Heather O’Reilly and Carli Lloyd and a few other players. As she got to the sideline she applauded the crowd and then hugged her coaches and teammates. The crowd chanted “Abby Wambach” in return.
Chaney added the final goal for the United States on a header in the 64th minute.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo made her first start for the United States since having wrist surgery in early March. She faced one weak shot as the ball stayed in the South Korean half most of the game.
