The first of those goals produced another orchestrated celebration, which is becoming something of a trademark for the Americans.
After Abby Wambach scored against North Korea at Old Trafford in Manchester earlier in the week, the team celebrated by doing "the worm." That caused a lot of tut-tutting about appropriate behavior at one of soccer's hallowed grounds.
When Wambach scored on Friday in the 27th minute of the first half, the team turned cartwheels, in a nod to the gold-medal-winning U.S. gymnastics team. But not everyone was amused.
"We wouldn't do it," New Zealand coach Tony Readings said. "The other team is disappointed and wants to get on with the game. But if it makes them happy, then good on them."
Lloyd said she and her teammates don't mean any harm.
"Our intention was to represent and honor U.S. gymnastics and have some fun with it," she said. "We're not trying to show up anyone . . . Abby just usually tells us what to do."
Wambach's goal was her fourth in four games at these Olympics and her 142d all-time, putting her 16 behind all-time scoring leader Mia Hamm. When you score that many goals, you can plan for a coordinated salute.
But clearly, the best celebrations are spontaneous: Sydney Leroux proved that in the 87th minute. The 22-year-old came off the bench to replace Alex Morgan in the 80th minute. Morgan - who was behind New Zealand's defense all day - had collided with the New Zealand goalkeeper, and coach Pia Sundhage wanted to shut down her speedy young forward, even though she was desperate for an insurance goal.
"We thought we needed a little bit of sparkle," Sundhage said.
So she turned to her other speedy young forward. And Leroux sparkled. She beat a defender and buried the ball in the back of the net, spread her arms wide, and cried out in amazement.
"I just went crazy," Leroux said. "I blacked out. Kelly O'Hara was yelling, 'I'm so proud of you,' and I think I almost started crying and the game wasn't even over. I was so emotional, so excited."
The raw honesty of Leroux's delight impressed the player who is usually in charge of orchestrating the celebration.
"That's the best celebration I've seen yet," Wambach said. "I don't care if you talk about cartwheels or 'worms,' she had the most sincere celebration. It made me emotional because that's what is special about the Olympics. Seeing a kid come in, perform, and do something that she didn't think was possible. It was brilliant."
The Americans will take their dance party back to Old Trafford in Manchester, where they will play familiar foe Canada. Their ultimate goal is to play in the gold medal match at Wembley, another revered stadium.
"It's an honor," Lloyd said of playing on such famous soccer grounds. "Not too many people get to say they played at Old Trafford or Newcastle. It's amazing."
Japan bumps Brazil
With two quick counterattacks, Japan ended Brazil's chances of finally winning that elusive Olympic gold medal.
Japan beat the Brazilians, 2-0, setting up a semifinal against France and moving closer to adding Olympic gold to the World Cup title it won last year.
The French advanced by beating Sweden, 2-1, while Canada beat Britain, 2-0.
