US fall in Slovakia 1-0

In its first warmup match for next year's World Cup, the US were missing key starters due to the MLS playoffs and injuries.  The squad lacked sharpness in a 1-0 loss to Slovakia on Saturday.   Marek Hamsik converted a penalty kick in the 26th minute after Austrian referee Stefan Messner called defender Jonathan Bornstein for pushing Vladimir Weiss in the penalty area.  Hamsik sent a low shot to the right corner as keeper Brad Guzan went the other way. 

"Tonight's a frustrating loss for us. We feel we at least deserved a draw tonight," US captain Carlos Bocanegra said. "We created some good combinations in the first half, created some good opportunities, but they didn't go in tonight."

Preparing for its first World Cup appearance as an independent nation, Slovakia is ranked 33rd in the world. The 11th-ranked Americans have qualified for their sixth straight World Cup but used an under-strength roster.

"I thought we did well with keeping most of the possession and creating chances," midfielder Clint Dempsey said. "We just weren't able to get that goal to open the game up more."

The Americans were missing Landon Donovan, who scored in California on Friday night to help the Los Angeles Galaxy beat Houston 2-0 in overtime and reach the MLS final.  In addition, goalkeeper Tim Howard was given an off day and the Americans were without central defenders Oguchi Onyewu (knee surgery), Jay DeMerit (eye surgery) and Chad Marshall (sprained knee).

Jonathan Spector moved from the outside to central defense for the first time. Right back Steve Cherundolo hobbled off late in the match holding his left knee, but the US Soccer Federation said the initial evaluation indicated no serious injury.

"Jonathan Spector and Carlos Bocanegra played well together and both showed good understanding,"  coach Bob Bradley said.

Forward Eddie Johnson made his first national team appearance since June 2008 and Jeff Cunningham, MLS's leading scorer this season, played for the national team for the first time since September 2005. Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty entered in the 72nd minute as a substitute for his national team debut.

"This match was on opportunity to see some different players," Bradley said. "I think the area tonight that let us down was the sharpness and execution in the attacking part of the field."

The US outshot Slovakia 8-5, although shots on goal were even at four apiece. The Americans had five corner kicks to Slovakia's one.