WOMEN'S WORLD CUP Height advantage becomes big asset for the Americans

Their next opponents -- Nigeria and North Korea -- don't have as much height.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Mia Hamm is missing one thing fellow forwards Cindy Parlow and Abby Wambach possess: height.
That height -- both Parlow and Wambach are 5-foot-11 -- has become a huge asset for the United States.
"It's a lot of fun to play with them," Hamm said, "and we know when we serve in there high, they're going to be getting the ball."
Heading into Thursday's game with Nigeria and then Sunday's match against North Korea, the Americans know the height advantage could make a big difference. Parlow scored on a header in the opening 3-1 victory over Sweden, as did Shannon Boxx, who is 5-8, taller than every teammate except Parlow, Wambach and the goalkeepers.
Rivals lack height
While Sweden was able to alter its lineup and use some taller defenders, neither of the next two foes have that kind of depth.
So look for lots of crosses and corner kicks and passes in the air. And look for one of the 5-11 Americans to be getting a head on some of those balls.
"We need to keep a powerful, fearless, aggressive and athletic style," coach April Heinrichs said Tuesday while her players relaxed during an off day from practice. "I believe our technical players can solve tight touches in little space."
While Heinrichs hinted there could be a change or two in the starting lineup -- other than Cat Reddick replacing injured Brandi Chastain on defense -- don't expect the coach to disrupt the tall duo up front. The Nigerians, known for a physical brand of soccer that sometimes borders on brutal, won't easily contend with the size match-up.
Recipe for a rout
After his team fell to North Korea 3-0 in its opener, Nigeria coach Sam Okpodu admitted "the defenders were two steps behind." Against the defending world champions, that is a recipe for a rout.
"We cannot play the same way," he said, adding the Nigerians appeared to be in a funk in the opener. "We've got to get ourselves out of it and maybe the loss will be the motivation we needed."
But Nigeria is a long shot to slow down the United States, and unless a series of fouls distracts Parlow and Wambach, the Americans figure to soar above the Africans for high balls.
"It's a lot about attitude and being fearless and just going up and doing it," Parlow said. "The keeper might be punching you in the back of the head, but you have to do it. So much of it is timing.
"And it doesn't hurt when you are 5-11."
Runaway train
Few other nations have that kind of size on attack. But while Wambach sometimes looks like a runaway train as she heads toward the net, Parlow is more controlled.
Indeed, Parlow, just 25 but in her ninth season with the national team, significantly has improved her overall game. While hardly a speedster, she has upgraded her moves with the ball and her play-making. She's even gotten better as a defender after playing some in midfield for the WUSA's Atlanta Beat.
Parlow is especially adept at shielding the ball from opponents as she tries to move into scoring position. She obviously has a scorer's touch with 63 goals in 129 international games. She trails only Hamm (142), Tiffeny Milbrett (98) and Kristine Lilly (92) on this squad.
Impressive combination
Add in Wambach's nine in 15 games and it's an impressive combination.
Parlow could be a mainstay on the national team for another decade, even as Hamm, Milbrett, Lilly and other veterans leave the sport. She really looks forward to a long association with Wambach.
"It's so much fun to see this 5-11 person to serve to," Parlow said, echoing the thoughts of other Americans who have set her up for goals. "I've always been the one in there to get served to, and now we have two."