Hamm's two goals leads U. S. team's 5-0 rout of Nigeria

She also set up another goal and helped out defensively.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The statistics say Mia Hamm is the best player in women's soccer history. Her play in this World Cup has spoken even louder than the numbers.
Hamm was as dominant as ever Thursday night, scoring twice, setting up another goal and even helping defensively in a 5-0 rout of Nigeria. The United States moved to the verge of the quarterfinals on the grace and power of the sport's career scoring leader.
"She's given us so much more than scoring," Kristine Lilly said. "She moved into the midfield tonight, was a playmaker and a defensive presence. She is doing what she is supposed to do and doing it great."
Tournament point leader
It was vintage Hamm before 31,553 fans who saw her increase her international goals total to 144 and her World Cup count to eight. With 12 assists, she has more points than any other player in the women's tournament.
"That was Mia at her best," coach April Heinrichs said as the Americans moved to the top of Group A with six points. They need only a tie Sunday with North Korea to win the group and advance to the quarterfinals.
"As a playmaker, a goal scorer, a leader, she understands the importance of trying to take the wind out of their sails," Heinrichs said of Hamm.
Converts penalty kick
Hamm converted a penalty kick in the sixth minute with a shot low to the right corner after Parlow was knocked down in the area by Nigerian captain Florence Omagbemi.
In the 12th, she sent a 35-yard free kick on a majestic arc and goalkeeper Precious Dede could only get her fingertips on it as the ball settled into the net.
"She said it was a cross and it looked like they played it as a cross," co-captain Julie Foudy said. "Then it fell into the net."
Two minutes later, Hamm nearly had a hat trick -- her twisting shot from the left wing barely missed. She also hit the goal post in the second half.
"I think Mia's at the top of her game, for sure right now," Parlow said. "She's played great. She's given this team so much."
Including yet another perfect corner kick. Two minutes into the second half, Parlow got her second goal of the tournament off Hamm's kick.
"The goal early in the second half really helped us in regards to settling us down," Hamm said. "It was important for our team and our goal, which was to get three points and be a team that plays hard for 90 minutes."
Gets first World Cup goal
Abby Wambach, Hamm's teammate with the WUSA champion Washington Freedom, scored her first World Cup goal in the 65th minute on a perfect cross from Kristine Lilly. Foudy connected on a penalty kick in the 89th.
Nigeria, which lost to North Korea in its opener, saw defender Bunmi Kayode taken off on a stretcher in the final moments, her head immobilized, after she collided with Wambach. Nigeria coach Sam Okpodu said she had a cut eye, but could not elaborate on any other injuries.
Okpodu blamed the officiating for making the game unfair.
"I'm disappointed the game was taken away from our players," he said. "They wanted to take the game away from us, the refs did."