BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — In its first warmup match for next year’s World Cup, the U.S. was missing key starters and 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 — the son of Slovakia’s coach — in the penalty area. Hamsik sent a low shot to the right corner, with goalkeeper Brad Guzan diving in the opposite direction.
“Tonight’s a frustrating loss for us. We feel we at least deserved a draw tonight,” U.S. 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 U.S. was 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 Major League Cup 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 during second-half injury time holding his left knee, but the U.S. Soccer Federation said the initial evaluation indicated no serious injury.
“Jonathan Spector and Carlos Bocanegra played well together and both showed good understanding,” U.S. 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 U.S. outshot Slovakia 8-5, although shots on goal were even at four apiece. The Americans had five corner kicks to Slovakia’s one.
“I thought we had the better of the game, to be honest,” Spector said.
Both teams started sons of their coaches.
Vladimir Weiss the father played as a second-half substitute as Czechoslovakia routed the United States 5-1 at the 1990 World Cup.
Michael Bradley headed in from close range just two minutes in following a corner kick by Robbie Rogers but was ruled offside.
The U.S. was the more dangerous team early. Dempsey missed wide from 10 yards in the 30th minute, then was saved by goalkeeper Jan Mucha on a swerving free kick in the 37th. Feilhaber’s diving header off Bornstein’s cross was saved by Mucha three minutes before halftime.
Johnson broke in on goal in the 51st minute but missed the net. Mucha denied Sacha Kljestan, another sub, with a fingertip save on a free kick in the 82nd.
“They have an excellent team. They showed why they are 11th in the world,” Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss said.
The Americans close their 2009 schedule on Wednesday night at Denmark.
“Denmark will be a little different,” Bocanegra said. “They like to be on the ball, and they’re not as much of a counterattacking team as Slovakia.”
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