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S. Korea, US complete Women’s World Cup prep with 0-0 tie

May 30, 2015
South Korea midfielder Cho Sohyun, left, and United States forward Abby Wambach (20) go up for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

South Korea midfielder Cho Sohyun, left, and United States forward Abby Wambach (20) go up for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — The United States wrapped up its World Cup warmup matches with a listless 0-0 draw against South Korea on Saturday, a result that highlighted the Americans’ struggle to regain top form going into next month’s tournament.

Again missing star forward Alex Morgan, who hasn’t played in a month because of a bone bruise in her left knee, the second-ranked Americans were shut out at home for the first time since Nov. 5, 2008, in Cincinnati, also by South Korea. Morgan says she will be ready for the team’s World Cup opener against Australia on June 8.

Still, the U.S. extended its home unbeaten streak to 96 since November 2004 (84-0-12) and is 7-0-2 against the South Koreans.

Three days shy of her 35th birthday, forward Abby Wambach started in her 242nd international appearance in the only change by U.S. coach Jill Ellis from the starters in the 5-1 win over Mexico on May 17. Wambach replaced Megan Rapinoe, who had a sore quadriceps in training Friday.

Wambach, who broke her nose in a collision with Ireland goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke on May 10, played until the 60th minute and worked on some combinations with Sydney Leroux.

While the Americans won World Cups in 1991 and 1999 and have won three straight Olympic gold medals, they have struggled in the World Cup for more than a decade.

Their first-round group in Canada also includes games against Sweden and former coach Pia Sundhage on June 12 and Nigeria on June 16.

No. 18 South Korea plays Brazil, Costa Rica and Spain in the group stage.

Before a capacity crowd of 26,467 at Red Bull Arena, all 23 U.S. players lined up for the anthem, outnumbering the visitors’ 11. Eschewing their traditional red-white-and-blue color scheme, the American wore white uniforms with black trim and lime socks

South Korean midfielder Park Heeyoung left in the 17th minute with a dislocated right shoulder.

The U.S. managed to overcome a trio of poor clearances in the first half. While the Americans had an 8-3 advantage in shots, they had few good chances. Leroux put a looping 10-yard shot wide in the 27th. Wambach, a yard from an open goal line, couldn’t get her head on Meghan Kingenberg’s cross from the left flank in the 36th.

South Korea goalkeeper Kim Jungmi stuck out her right hand to bat away Carli Lloyd’s open 10-yard shot in the 49th minute after Morgan Brian pulled the ball back.

American goalkeeper Hope Solo, who had little to do, jumped to push Hwang Boram’s long attempt over the crossbar in the 54th. Solo didn’t have to make her first difficult save until the third and final minute of injury time.

Christine Rampone, a 39-year-old defender from New Jersey, entered in her 306th appearance, second to Kristine Lilly’s record of 352.