Young US squad wins in South Africa

The young American squad picked by Bob Bradley raised eyebrows last week.  Missing were the major stars such as Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Onyewu and Michael Bradley.  Instead we saw players that may be counted on in the next phase of World Cup qualifying and perhaps even farther out.  

The kids did all right, giving a glimpse at what could be a bright future for the US. Five players made their debuts for the Stars and Stripes. The Colombia-born Juan Agudelo, Mikkel Diskerud, Teal Bunbury, Tim Ream and Gale Agbossoumonde, who turned 19 on Wednesday. 

Bafana Bafana took advantage of a slow start by the inexperienced Americans, but Brad Guzan, wearing the captain's armband in Bocanegra's absence, came up with two big saves in the first 20 minutes. Leeds forward Davide Somma, who grew up in Florida, put a ball through to Anele Ngcongca in the 14th, but Guzan deflected Ngcongca's shot.  Six minutes later, captain Steven Pienaar played a nice ball to Bernard Parker, but Guzan blocked the close-range shot.

The second half additions of Bunbury, Agudelo and Diskerud gave the Americans more speed, and Agudelo and Diskerud showed the makings of a nice pairing on the game-winner.  On the game winning play, Agudelo fed fellow newcomer Mikkel Diskerud, who maintained control despite being smothered by three defenders and played the ball back to Agudelo. He took one touch and banged the ball in off the crossbar with a right-footed flick from 7 yards out.

"I'm speechless, I don't know what to say," said Agudelo, whose No. 17 uniform matched his age. "It's an amazing feeling."

South Africa made a furious scramble for the equalizer, but the Americans held fast for the win.  The US improved its record against South Africa to 3-0, all in exhibitions.