US struggled to find the back of the net as a first half Marek Hamsik penalty kick gave the hosts Slovakia the win.
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.
Eddie Johnson made a return to the field for the national team and Dax McCarty earned his first cap for the US
In addition to Johnson's reappearance on the national team after a yearlong absence, Jeff Cunningham resurfaced after a four year hiatus as a 82nd minute substitute for invisible Jozy Altidore.
The Americans fly off to Denmark on Sunday to play Wednesday night in Aarhus against the Danes.
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