USMNT vs. Serbia score: Brandon Vazquez scores in debut but Americans fall in first friendly since World Cup

Velijko Simic scored go-ahead goal to spark Serbia's 2-1 win in Los Angeles

Brandon Vazquez scoring a goal on his United States national team debut wasn't enough to defeat a thin Serbia squad in a 2-1 loss on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Vazquez was among seven members of the starting XI to get their first cap for the national team and made it a memorable moment. Vazquez's former Atlanta United teammate Julian Gressel, who also made his national team debut, played in an excellent cross that Vazquez headed past Djordje Petrovic in the 28th minute after the Americans struggled out of the gate.

The lead would only last until the stroke of halftime as Serbia found an equalizer from a Luka Ilic free kick. Ilic's kick found its way through the wall due to every defender not jumping in unison, and Gabriel Slonina couldn't get to it in time. Right after the half, Serbia found a go-ahead goal from Velijko Simic as space opened up between Jalen Neal and Jonathan Gomez, which he took advantage of. The 19-year-old Neal has not yet debuted in Major League Soccer for the Los Angeles Galaxy but could have gotten more help for his veteran partner Aaron Long. 

Despite the final score, there were bright spots for the U.S. like Alex Zendejas stepping up in the second half when some of the national team regulars entered in the midfield. Cade Cowell was quite unlucky, striking the post twice in a match more about individual performances than the result. Slonina also became the youngest keeper in USMNT history, breaking the record set by Tony Meola in 1988.

[Jan 26, 2023 at 12:19 am ET · Chuck Booth]

A disappointing loss but there were bright spots

With so many changes in a team with minimal experience playing together, it's not surprising that two mistakes ended up costing the United States the match. The midfield struggled to push the match forward in the first half but Kellyn Acosta coming on did improve the match. On another day, one of Cade Cowell's strikes off the post goes in and it could be a different result but it's also good for these young players to learn that mistakes are punished quickly on the international stage.

[Jan 26, 2023 at 12:00 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Five minutes of added time

Still a chance for an equalizer but it's running out quickly. Aaron Long has now come forward for the remainder of the match as well. 

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:54 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Zendejas wants a penalty but he won't get it

It was certainly physical defending from Serbia but Zendejas' appeal was waved off. It does feel like an equalizer is coming in the closing moments though. 

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:52 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

It's raining corners

Jonathan Gomez is able to get forward now with Cowell off the pitch and it has been a succession of corner kicks as Serbia bunkers to hold the lead. With an empty bench, can Serbia hold out for the victory?

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:47 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Arirola draws a corner kick now 

Acosta's take doesn't find the net but DeJuan Jones was able to draw another to make up for it. Time to throw the kitchen sink forward in the final 11 minutes of the match. 

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:42 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Paul Arriola has entered for Cade Cowell

Cowell has had an unlucky match striking the post twice but it has been a good showing. Arriola almost made an instant impact as well playing a good one two with Zendejas upon entering. The attack is getting back in its groove now.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:31 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Quite a few US changes to push for the win

Eryk Williamson has already entered for Sonora but Acosta, Hoppe,and DeJuan Jones are all entering for Gressel, Vazquez, and Pomykal.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:26 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Rewinding to Serbia's goal

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:23 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Cowell is dangerous again!

The post has been rattled twice by him as the Untied States pushes for an equalizer. Only the crossbar left to hit for the unluckiest of hat tricks for Cowell.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

That was fast

Velijko Simic has made the United States pay as Neal didn't close him down and Aaron Long wasn't able to help prevent the goal. The good news is that with the goal only coming one minute into the second half, there is plenty of time to get back into the match but Serbia will punish the team for their errors.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 11:14 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A few changes ahead of the second half

Aaron Long will enter for Walker Zimmerman while Serbia will swap keepers with Dragan Rosic coming in for Dorde Petrovic. Midfielder Mirko Topic was also withdrawn for forward Nikola Stulic.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:59 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Level at the half

There is room for improvement from the team but if they can continue attacking like in the first half, the United States should have no issues blowing this match open. Time to see what changes happen at halftime as the defensive issues are to be expected with so many changes in the lineup. Walker Zimmerman was the only experienced player on the pitch for the first half but Brandon Vazquez finding the back of the net is surely a positive. 

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:51 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

It's a beauty from Ilic

His free kick finds a spot in the wall breaking and beats Slonina who isn't expecting it. We're back level with two minutes plus stoppage to go before halftime. 

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Looking at Vazquez's opener

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:44 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Serbia asking questions again 

They've turned up the pressure after conceding the opener but Slonina looks comfortable in net even being pelted with shots which is where his experience from the Chicago Fire pays off.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:39 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Slonina called into action quickly 

Before the United States could even celebrate their goal, Serbia forced Slonina into a point blank save and now he's down receiving treatment. It seems like it may have just been from the collision that followed but in a friendly, if he's not 100% it's best to get Sean Johnson into the match.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:38 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

United States 1, Serbia 2 (FT)

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:37 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Marking his debut with a goal, Brandon Vazquez welcome!

After a great cross into the middle from Julian Gressel, Vazquez's header wouldn't miss knocking the ball past Petrovic from range. It's 1-0 United States after 29 minutes and Vazquez is beginning his journey to make sure he doesn't miss another World Cup.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:33 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Excellent from Aidan Morris 

It's a match to look at moments and after dispossessing Serbia, Morris shows that he brings range to the center of the park running half the pitch before firing a shot on target at Petrovic. It almost rebounded for a United States chance as well as Serbia are beginning to be unsettled.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:27 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

So so close!

Cade Cowell had an excellent shot at goal after a good pass form Alan Sonora. It has been slow going but the attack is beginning to settle, now they need to test Petrovic with a shot on target.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:22 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A nervy start

Julian Gressel has played a few good passes from right back and Cade Cowell has also had a bright start to the match but so far it has been all Serbia in the match. As the game wears on, the United States attack should be able to settle and find their footing. 

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:12 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Serbia may be undermanned but they're organized

Lucic was able to draw the first corner of the game after a good dribble before Serbia's corner kick almost found the net before Joveljic just scuffed his follow up attempt at goal.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 10:09 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

We're off and Serbia are quickly on the attack

The United States' defense is active and pressing as they are coming out of the gate with energy.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 9:55 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost time for kickoff

It should be quite a match and we're five minutes out from the first kick against Serbia.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 9:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Zimmerman and Jalen Neal will be quite a combonation

Flanked by attacking fullbacks, Neal will make his debut for the national team before playing his first league match for the LA Galaxy. A talented young center back, Neal is one of the players to watch from this match as he'll be challenged by Serbia's attack but learning from Zimmerman should keep things steady in defense.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 9:23 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Looking at Serbia's squad

There are some familiar names with Petrovic, Veselinovic and Jovelkic all being based in Major League Soccer but like the US squad, this is a team that is light on international caps as head coach Dragan Stojkovic turns an eye toward the next generation of talent. Due to the lack of depth in the squad, it will likely be a tough match for the Serbians.

[Jan 25, 2023 at 9:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A record breaking start

Will Slonina state his claim as the keeper of the future?

[Jan 25, 2023 at 9:07 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

In Soccer we Trust took a look at players to watch 

[Jan 25, 2023 at 9:06 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Serbia's lineup for the night's match

Starters: 1-Đorđe Petrović, 3-Nemanja Petrović, 4-Ranko Veselinović , 5-Marko Mijailović, 6-Nemanja Stojić, 7-Luka Ilić, 8-Mirko Topić, 9-Dejan Joveljić, 10-Veljko Simić (capt.), 14-Nikola Petković, 16-Vladimir Lučić

Available Subs: 12-Dragan Rosić, 2-Marko Ivezić, 11-Miloš Pantović, 13-Filip Damjanović, 15-Luka Bijelović, 17-Nikola Štulić

[Jan 25, 2023 at 9:02 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

We've got a US lineup 

There will be 7 debutants in the starting XI alongside Walker Zimmerman captaining the squad.

Starters: 24-Gaga Slonina, 2-Julian Gressel, 3-Walker Zimmerman (capt.), 5-Jonathan Gómez, 8-Brandon Vazquez, 10-Paxton Pomykal, 14-Alan Soñora, 17-Alex Zendejas, 20-Cade Cowell, 21-Aidan Morris, 22-Jalen Neal

Available Subs: 1-Sean Johnson, 4-DeJuan Jones, 6-Paxten Aaronson, 7-Paul Arriola, 9-Jesús Ferreira, 11-Emmanuel Sabbi, 12-John Tolkin, 13-Matthew Hoppe, 15-Aaron Long, 16-Sam Rogers, 19-Eryk Williamson, 23-Kellyn Acosta