U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter rewarded 11 players with their senior debuts on Saturday in San Antonio, but that proved to be the only bright spot of the afternoon.
Slovenia used a first-half goal from Nejc Gradisar to claim a 1-0 road victory over the Americans at Toyota Field. Bernard Kamungo and Timothy Tillman created the best offensive chances for the USMNT, but Slovenian goalkeeper Igor Vekic registered a three-save clean sheet.
Matjaz Kek’s squad broke the deadlock in the 27th minute after Danijel Sturm stole possession from Kamungo. Sturm’s upfield pass was slotted home by Gradisar for a 1-0 Slovenia advantage.
It marked the 21-year-old’s first senior international goal.
Kamungo came close to making amends for his error, forcing Igor Vekic into a kick save just moments after Slovenia took the lead. Josh Atencio’s follow-up effort eventually deflected wide of the Slovenian net.
Kamungo continued to cause issues for the Slovenian backline, getting to the end line before halftime and once again forcing Vekic to clear his lines.
Berhalter made multiple substitutions at the hour mark with Duncan McGuire, Jack McGlynn, and Esmir Bajraktarevic all coming on for their senior debuts.
Tillman created room for a low shot in the 67th minute, but Vekic dove to his left to deny the LAFC midfielder a debut international goal.
Schulte denied Slovenia an insurance goal later in the half, punching away Sturm’s free kick in the 75th minute.
Bajraktarevic also created space for a left-footed drive in the 77th minute, but watched his shot fly over Vekic’s crossbar. John Tolkin’s pair of opportunities late in the match failed to hit the target, summing up a frustrating afternoon for the USMNT.
The USMNT will resume competitive action in March when it faces Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.
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