Wambach Nears Hamm's Record - NYTimes.com Abby Wambach's goal did not really matter in the outcome of the game. That is not, however, to minimize its significance. On Wednesday in Albufeira, Portugal, Wambach scored the third goal of the game in the United States" 3-0 victory over Iceland in the opening game for both teams in the 2013 Algarve Cup. It was the 154th goal of Wambach's international career, and it moved her within four goals of tying Mia Hamm's career international mark, male or female. Hamm set the record of 158 goals during a career that stretched from 1987 to 2004. After a scoreless first half, the United States scored twice in the first 17 minutes of the second half on goals by Rachel Buehler and Shannon Boxx. Wambach completed the scoring in the 74th minute when Alex Morgan intercepted a weak back pass, beating Icleland goalkeeper Thora Helgadottir to the ball. Morgan tapped the ball to Wambach, who scored into the empty net. The United States returns to action Friday against China and then faces Sweden on Monday. Friday's match, which is scheduled to kick off at 9 a.m. Eastern, and all other matches involving the United States are available on cable and satellite TV on a pay-per-view basis ($14.95 a match) via In Demand, Avail-TVN, DirecTV and Dish.