The USA's Edson Buddle staked his claim for a starting spot against England next Saturday with two goals in a friendly victory over Australia in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.
Buddle, who plays up front for LA Galaxy and is the leading goalscorer in the MLS so far this season, struck twice in the first half of an open and entertaining final warm-up before the USA begin their World Cup campaign against England on Saturday 12 June.
Herculez Gomez, another back-up striker, came off the bench to score the USA's third in injury time, with Landon Donovan also looking impressive for the States on the right flank.
In contrast, the USA looked continually shaky at the back and were carved open on several occasions. On this evidence, they may struggle to deal with Wayne Rooney and co in Rustenburg.
They needed only four minutes to open the scoring, however, as Buddle took advantage of some slack defensive play before beating the Australia goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, with a powerful 15-yard drive.
The Socceroos were second best in the early stages and Robbie Findley should have doubled the USA's advantage after 15 minutes, taking the ball past Schwarzer but then shooting wide.
Everton's Tim Cahill levelled for Australia against the run of play after 19 minutes following the USA's failure to deal with a corner.
Schwarzer blocked several shots as the Americans piled on the pressure but was unable to prevent Buddle restoring the USA's lead after 31 minutes when he headed in a right-wing cross by Steve Cherundolo.
The veteran Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann, who replaced Tim Howard in the USA goal at half-time, did well to twice block close-range efforts from Mark Bresciano, with the USA continuing to look uncertain almost every time the ball was put into the danger area.
Hahnemann also turned away a fierce late drive from the substitute Nikita Rukavytsya before the USA's persistence was rewarded when Gomez tucked away Donovan's low cross in stoppage time to make it 3-1.
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