USA vs. New Zealand Women's Soccer: Score, Twitter Reaction from 2015 Friendly

The United States continued preparations for this year's Women's World Cup on Saturday, claiming a 4-0 win over New Zealand to build on last month's Algarve Cup triumph.

The official USWNT Twitter account confirmed the victory, the first of numerous friendly outings in the next six weeks scheduled to test Jillian Ellis' team before this summer's extravaganza:

"

FINAL: #USWNT beats New Zealand 4-0 in front of a great crowd at Busch Stadium!

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) April 4, 2015"

With 15 places separating them in the official FIFA women's rankings, it was to be expected that the United States would start with the upper hand in St. Louis.

That being the case, the Football Ferns did manage to put up a strong blockade in the opening phases of the fixture, despite there being an obvious gulf in pedigree between the two squads.

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

It took the hosts just 14 minutes to open their account, however, when Houston Dash defender Meghan Klingenberg unleashed a hellish drive from the edge of the New Zealand area.

Fortunately, the USWNT's Twitter account posted footage of the scorching strike, a chance converted from the very slightest of openings:

That opener showed the United States' potential to surge even when the threat may appear slim, but it also served in putting the visiting outfit on high alert for the rest of the half.

Former United States international Stuart Holden was one of those taking in the clash, hailing the quality of Megan Rapinoe's supply upon making her 100th international appearance:

As the first period wore on, it continued to Ellis' women cutting out the greater share of opportunities in front of goal, but the Ferns were fortunate to stay just a goal down at times.

Fox Sports' Jorge Moran highlighted Kansas City's Amy Rodriguez as his player of the half while admitting that New Zealand's unpolished look may have been handing the hosts some credit:

"

.@AmyRodriguez8, player of the half for me. Loving her continued resurgence. New Zealand isn't a top 10 side, but the #USWNT looks confident

— Jorge Moran (@JorgeMoran17) April 4, 2015"

Team USA rounded off the half as it began, pressing with the majority of the match's sway but failing to convert despite dominating the shot count, as noted by the team's Twitter account:

The second half saw New Zealand pose more of a threat in attack as manager Tony Readings looked to have some tactical impact, but the difference in overall quality remained clear.

Rapinoe continued to pull strings from deep, while Ellis rung the changes two-thirds of the way into the fixture, showing the United States' strength in depth, as pointed out by the team's Twitter account:

Being able to bring on players such as Sydney Leroux and Tobin Heat paints a picture of just how far the resources stretch, but it was Lori Chalupny who made the most significant impact of the three introduced.

The St. Louis native doubled her side's lead on the 76th-minute mark, and Jeff Kassouf of NBC Sports was on hand to point out the poetic nature of her resurgence in time for the Women's World Cup:

It was at this point New Zealand's legs began to grow weary, while their hosts' did not, and the United States took full advantage with two more quick-fire goals.

Jenny Johnston headed home a third before Morgan Brian notched a third to round off the rout for Ellis' women, a morale-boosting victory that puts them in good stead for their remaining friendlies; the team's Twitter account highlighted the group effort:

For Ellis, the greatest positive to take from this fixture will be the quality of her bench and the evident stamina her players possess when it comes to outlasting their opponents.

It's a factor that will be of vital significance during a tiring campaign such as the World Cup, and the United States coach will take it as hugely encouraging to see so many contributing this early on.