Soccer - U.S. women thrash New Zealand 5-0 in World Cup warmup

May 16, 2019; St. Louis , MO, USA; USA defender Ali Krieger (11) hugs defender Abby Dahlkemper (7) after defeating New Zealand during a Countdown to the Cup Women's Soccer match at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Carli Lloyd scored a brace of goals as the United States women thrashed New Zealand 5-0 in a friendly in St Louis on Thursday to extend their winning run to five games ahead of their World Cup title defence in France.

The U.S. were on the back foot for much of the first half but hit New Zealand with a two-goal burst before the break and piled on the punishment after.