Martin Rogers

USA TODAY Sports

United States goalkeeper Hope Solo was targeted for abuse by Brazilian fans on Wednesday night as the women’s national team began its quest for a fourth straight Olympic gold medal by defeating New Zealand 2-0 in Belo Horizonte.

Starting in the second half, Solo was booed by local supporters at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte — with fans loudly chanting “Zika” every time she cleared the ball from her penalty area.

The controversial World Cup and Olympic champion has been outspoken about her concerns over traveling to Brazil due to the Zika virus. Earlier this week, she posted a photograph of herself on Twitter wearing a beekeeper’s mask and holding a giant bottle of insect repellent. Her post was widely reported in the Brazilian media.

Former national team player and NBC analyst Kate Markgraf insisted the U.S would use the Solo taunts as motivation.

“The last thing you want to do is to give any reason for the U.S to come together,” Markgraf said. "You give them something to focus on instead of getting worried about how they will perform, that can only be a positive for them."

Entering the tournament as hot favorites after winning the Women’s World Cup last year, the Americans were rarely troubled in their Group G opener and cruised to victory thanks to goals from captain Carli Lloyd and star forward Alex Morgan.

Lloyd, the reining World Player of the Year, put Jill Ellis’ side ahead after only nine minutes, sending a looping header into the net following a tidy cross from Tobin Heath.

New Zealand tried gamely to resist but was broken down again just a minute into the second half. Morgan Brian sent a clinical pass into the box and hit the fast-advancing Morgan, who made no mistake with a low left-foot drive that beat goalkeeper Erin Nayler.

Just like in the World Cup, the U.S. backline proved impossible to break, leading to a comfortable second half once the two-goal advantage was established.

The team will next face their toughest group opponent, world No. 3 France, on Saturday, where victory would be enough to clinch a quarterfinal spot.