The Fan Hub

This memorial day weekend, Landon Donovan yet again made many proud to be American.

Donovan lead the US with a hat trick, while Donovan’s own assists on Jermaine Jones’s headed goal and Michael Bradley’s wonder-strike made it 5 for the US. The especially potent attack should have quelled some concerns that many had about disappointing performances from the US attack, which had been shutout a number of times in Jurgen Klinsmann’s first few games at the helm. All the more impressively, the US manage to score 5 without the help of Clint Dempsey, who was nursing an injury that kept him out of Fulham’s final Premier League game.

A solid performance by usual backstop Tim Howard was only marred by a 1st-half own goal by USMNT newbie Geoff Cameron. Otherwise, the US back looked composed and at all times in control, though they were rarely threatened by a dominated Scottish side. Other debutants in Klinsmann’s squad saturday included former Borrusia Dortmund player Terrence Boyd, who featured in the U-23 squad that failed to qualify for London 2012 earlier this year.

The friendly was the first of a series of games that the US will play in order to prepare for the start of World Cup Qualifying, which they begin by facing Antigua & Barbada on June 10th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay. Rounding out the trio of friendlies will be a clash with Brazil at FedEx Field in Washington DC and a trip to take on Canada at BMO Field.