The United States let an early lead slip in a 2-1 loss to Serbia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday night in its first match since being eliminated from the 2022 World Cup by the Netherlands.
Dual nationals Brandon Vazquez and Alejandro Zendejas got the start as interim coach Anthony Hudson handed eight players their senior team debuts — seven as starters — with Vazquez opening the scoring in his first appearance for the U.S. on a silky, glancing header from Julian Gressel‘s cross into the area.
Chelsea goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, who was also making his debut for the senior U.S. team, made several key saves over the course of the first half but was beaten at his near post by a Luka Ilic free kick to level the score for Serbia ahead of half-time.
Serbia then took the lead right as the second half began when Veljko Simic capitalized on some poor defending by the U.S., pounced on a loose ball just outside the area and beat Slonina from close range to make it 2-1.