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It was over before it even started.
Coming into Saturday, there was skepticism that Russia could hang with the United States and it didn't take long for those skeptics to be proven right. The U.S. absolutely crushed the Russians and by the end, they had tied a team record for the largest margin of victory over a European opponent -- 7-0.
It actually took almost a half-hour for the U.S. to go in front after a slew of missed chances in the early going. They were all over Russia, but they struggled to make the final pass and when they did, Russia was there to block their shots. Despite the goose egg on the scoreboard, the U.S. was clearly on the front front, though, especially on the right. Ali Krieger and Heather O'Reilly were absolute terrors on the wing, leaving Russia helpless and it had to pay off eventually.
Finally, it is. A pretty little pass by O'Reilly freed up Carli Lloyd, who danced her way through three defenders before firing home for the 1-0 lead. From there, it was a massacre.
O'Reilly got a goal of her own in the 32nd minute off of a cross from Stephanie Cox with a pretty finish on the half-volley before Lloyd made it a brace with a 20-yard bomb just before the break. Those goals put the match to bed, but the U.S. didn't slow down in the second half.
Christen Press got on the scoresheet in the 51st minute when he nodded home a cross from Lloyd and a brilliant Lauren Holiday pass left Sydney Leroux with one defender to beat and an easy finish to make it 5-0. Like Lloyd, Press also got herself a brace, notching her second with a rebound of a Krieger shot.
The match was a total blowout and just how much better the U.S. is was on display in the 60th minute. With a 6-0 lead in hand, Tom Sermanni subbed off Leroux ... only to bring on Abby Wambach.
Minutes after coming on, Wambach got a goal of her own with a tap in of a great Krieger cross and finally, the U.S. took mercy upon Russia. They had pummeled the Russians, tied a team record and sent a decent crowd home happy. The job was done.
Of course, these two teams will play again on Wednesday in Atlanta. Poor Russia.
