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Second-half goals by Diskerud, Johannsson lead US World Cup over Azerbaijan 2-0 in exhibition

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A fan has a American flag painted on her face as she waits for the start an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Azerbaijan on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

A fan wears glasses as she waits for the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Azerbaijan on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

Second-half substitutes Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson scored to lift a heavy legged United States over Azerbaijan 2-0 on Tuesday night in the first of three World Cup warmups for the Americans.

On a night when captain Clint Dempsey was scratched just before kickoff because of a sore left groin, the 14th-ranked Americans had trouble breaking down No. 85 Azerbaijan.

Diskerud, wearing the No. 10 jersey that freed up when Landon Donovan was cut from the roster last week, entered in the 71st and scored four minutes later off Brad Davis' free kick.

With the ball high in the box, Diskerud headed it down to Michael Bradley, whose shot was cleared off the goal line by Elvin Yunuszade. Diskerud then banged the ball in from 6 yards for his third international goal.