USA - Slovenia summary: score, goals, highlights, international friendly
FT: USA 0-1 Slovenia
The USMNT lose their first game of 2024. It was far from a classic in San Antonio but the main positive taken will be the number of players who made their senior debuts with the USA.
Nejc Gradisar scored the only goal of the encounter, with a fine first-half finish after some good play from Danijel Sturm.
And there's the full-time whistle!
Slovenia have beaten the USA 1-0 in Texas.
Morris crosses into the Slovenia box. Vekic gets knocked over and Slovenia have a free out.
Slovenia get rid of the inswinging US corner from the right. Can they hold on to their narrow lead?
There will be three minutes added on!
US change
OFF Tillmann
ON Jackson
The US could make another change before full-time.
Bajraktarevic has been sensational on the right wing since coming on, creating chance after chance, but the USMNT continue to fail to convert.
McGuire goes down in the box but the play is waved on. 0-1
Tolkin!
His outside-of-the-boot curler flashes just wide. The US go so close an equaliser!
Esmir Bajraktarevic!
He goes so close to scoring on his debut but his left-footed strike rises just over the bar.
We're into the final 15 minutes of this international friendly match in Texas. Can the USA grab a late equaliser?
Sturm!
He bends his free around the wall but Schulte gets two hands to it and pushes it away.
Slovenia have a free on the edge of the box. It actually looks like it's inside the box. We don't have VAR today, though.
Tolkin fouls and Slovenia have a free inside their own half. It remains 1-0 to Slovenia in Texas. There haven't been a pile of chances in this second half either. It has real friendly vibes.
USMNT in 2023:
- 10 wins
- 5 draws
- 3 defeats
Slovenia in 2023:
- 7 wins
- 1 draw
- 2 defeats
Could they be about to get 2024 off to a winning start?
Chance Slovenia!
It's a fine corner from the right; substitute Mark Zabukovnik heads just wide. Slovenia go close to doubling their lead against the US.
Berhalter has mixed things up on the hour-mark as his side look for the equaliser at Toyota Stadium in San Antonio.
The US are about to make four changes. Berhalter's side are losing 1-0 in Texas and need a spark from somewhere.
The US win a corner on the right. Tillmann sends it to the near post. Zawadzki gets up highest but heads over the bar.
Christian Pulisic is in action with Milan tonight but the game was suspended for 10 minutes due to racist chants from Udinese fans towards goalkeeper Mike Maignan. As always, it's terrible to see.
Slovenia have the 2024 Euros in Germany to look forward to this summer. They had eight debutants in the starting eleven today. Key players, including Jan Oblak, have remained at their respective clubs as this is not an official international break.
It's 1-0 to Slovenia. The USA had 65% possession in the first half but they are losing and struggled to create in the opening 45 minutes.
Slovenia have never beaten the US, but this is only the third meeting between the countries.
We're underway for the second half!
Slovenia have the lead thanks to a goal by Gradisar on his debut. It took the USA thirty minutes to have their first shot on target and they have struggled to break down Slovenia so far.
It's half-time in San Antonio!
USA 0-1 Slovenia
Sturm picks up a yellow for fouling Moore. He pulls the full-back to the ground and the US have a free.
Robinson heads the free over the bar and there's the whistle for half-time.
Slovenia win themselves a corner on the left. However, the decision has been made to switch it to a goalkick.
The creative Luna floats one over the top for Jones, who loses out in the aerial battle. Luna had a solid first season in MLS with Real Salt Lake and could be in contention for a place in the USMNT's squad for this year's Copa América.
Sturm and Gradisar link up once again for Slovenia on the left-hand side of the area. The ball just has too much on it and Schulte is able to collect.
Kamungo!
What a chance! But Vekic saves.
It's the USA's first shot on target and he should really score.
Nejc Gradisar has seven goals in 14 games in the Slovenian top flight this season and he has taken that form into the Slovenia setup.
Slovenia have the lead and it's a lovely finish by Gradisar. Sturm plays him in down the left channel and Gradisar finishes with a low effort from close range.
It's the USA's first game this year and it's an opportunity for Berhalter to blood some young players through. He has handed seven debuts out today.
There have been few chances of note. Slovenia have had the majority of the ball for the last 10 minutes but have yet to really break down Berhalter's backline.
Tillmann is involved once again for the US. He represented Germany from U16 to U19 level before deciding to represent the USA. Having been at Bayern Munich, he now plies his trade with LAFC.
Slovenia are ranked 54th in the world.
Luna fouls Kuzmic on the edge of the area and the away side have a free. Moore heads the free-kick away. 0-0
The US break down the other end. Jones goes racing down the left flank but his cross is overhit and ends up on the far touchline. He'll be disappointed with that one.
Sturm attacks well down the left for Slovenia but the US backline manage the threat well and the ball is eventually cleared. It remains goalless in Texas.
Possession:
USA - 70%
Slovenia - 30%
Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson is playing at left-centre-back this afternoon. Berhalter has made him captain today, too.
As today's fixture falls outside FIFA’s official international windows, neither nation was able to call upon their star players, and both coaches have therefore picked many uncapped players.
Tillmann sends the corner in from the right. It falls to Morris on the edge of the area, but his effort flies well wide.
Today's venue - Toyota Field - is of course home to San Antonio FC.
This summer will be only the second ever time that Slovenia will have competed in the Euros.
The last time was in 2000.
Repas flies down the right wing but is eventually stopped in his tracks and Slovenia have a throw-in inside the US half.
USMNT in 2023:
10 wins
5 draws
3 defeats
The USMNT are playing from right to left as we watch it. The Toyota Field pitch looks pretty dry today.
The US are playing in an all-white kit, while Slovenia are playing in an all-blue strip.
And we're underway in San Antonio!
It's a young US side. Diego Luna is definitely one player that is worth keeping an eye on today.
The last time the sides met was in a friendly in 2011. The USA were victorious that day, winning 3-2.
There are seven debutants for the USA today and eight for Slovenia.
This is the third meeting between these two sides.
And it's now time for the national anthems.
The teams take to the field in San Antonio, Texas. It's a big year for both nations in 2024.
Miles Robinson is captaining the USA today.
The teams are in the tunnel!
Slovenia XI
- goalkeeper
- 0Igor Vekic
- defenders
- 0Srdjan Kuzmic
- 0David Zec
- 0Zan Karnicnik
- 0Zan Zaletel
- midfielders
- 0Jan Repas
- 0Adrian Zeljkovic
- 0Tamar Svetlin
- 0Timi Elsnik
- forwards
- 0Danijel Sturm
- substitutes
- CoachMatjaz Keks
- 0Marcel Ratnik
- 0Matija Kavcic
- 0Klemen Mihelak
- 0Sven Karic
- 0Mitja Ilenic
- 0Mark Zabukovnik
- 0Denis Pintol
- 0Andrés Vombergar
- 0Luka Ticic
USMNT XI
- goalkeeper
- 0Patrick Schulte
- defenders
- 19DeJuan Jones
- 12Miles Robinson
- 0Shaq Moore
- midfielders
- 0Timothy Tillman
- 16Aidan Morris
- 0Sean Zawadzki
- 0Joshua Atencio
- forwards
- 0Brian White
- 0Bernard Kamungo
- 0Diego Luna
- substitutes
- CoachGregg Berhalters
- 21Michael
- 0Nkosi Burgess
- 0Drake Callender
- 0Ian Murphy
- 0Aziel Jackson
- 0Esmir Bajraktarevic
- 0Jack McGlynn
- 0Duncan McGuire
- 0Nathan Harriel
- 0Roman Celentano
- 0Caleb Wiley
- 8James Sands
“With the World Cup coming to the United States in 2026, we have placed a huge priority on getting as many players as possible experience in important competitions.
“Between the Olympics, Concacaf Nations League and Copa América, the chances are there for players to make a statement, and for many of them the game in San Antonio can be an important first step.”
USMNT focused on 2026 growth
This year is set to be a busy one for the USMNT, with a number of international competitions on the horizon. The United States will host the 2024 Copa América with the likes of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay taking on a select few CONCACAF teams.
The Olympics and CONCACAF Nations League also ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for young or fringe players to break into the team. Gregg Berhalter has promised to use the various competitions to test out his squad and build experience among younger players.
No Oblak for Slovenia
Atlético Madrid and Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak did not travel to the United States. He has indeed stayed in the Spanish capital as Atlético prepare for their league clash with a struggling Granada side on Monday.
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Chivas pulled one of the biggest surprises of the winter transfer window after completing the signing of Cade Cowell from MLS side San José Earthquakes.
Despite being born in the United States (Ceres, California to be precise), the player was registered by the Liga MX as a homegrown player, who had come through the system in Mexico.
Cowell has national ancestry on his mother’s side and this allowed him to be registered as a 100% Mexican player.
Opportunity to give new faces a chance
Ahead of today's clash in Texas, Gregg Berhalter discussed the opportunity he will give to some fringe players.
“I think this is a perfect opportunity to reward players with strong MLS seasons and bring them into camp and see what they can do,” Berhalter told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game.
USMNT arrive
The USMNT players arrived at Toyota Field a short time ago. Kick-off is just around the corner.
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Yunus Musah and Folarin Balogun are all missing this friendly match with the USA.
The game between the USMNT and Slovenia will be played at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm ET/12 noon PT.
Outside FIFA’s official international windows
As this fixture falls outside FIFA’s official international windows, neither nation was obliged to release their star players, and both coaches have therefore picked a raft of uncapped players.
H2H between USA and Slovenia
Today will the third ever meeting between the two sides. The USA have a 1-0-1 advantage and won the last fixture back in 2011.
Slovenia
Slovenia are today's rivals for the US in Texas. The nation ranked 54th in the world have a squad mostly made up of players based in their domestic league.
Slovenia qualified for this summer’s 2024 Euros in Germany by finishing in second place in Group H.
No Pulisic
There is, of course, no Christian Pulisic for the US. The forward will be action for Milan in Serie A later today. The Italian giants take on Udinese.
First match of 2024
The USMNT are back in action. Gregg Berhalter's side are preparing to take on Slovenia at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.
In the first game of 2024, Berhalter has opted to use the opportunity to have fringe players together with U23 players ahead of the Summer Olympics.
USA vs Slovenia: welcome!
Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of this friendly match between USA and Slovenia.
I'm Kieran Quaile and I'll be taking you through the action from Texas.