SEATTLE, March 29 (UPI) -- Jovan Kirovski and Landon Donovan paced the United States to a 2-0 victory over Venezuela on Saturday in an international friendly at Seahawks Stadium.
Kirovski's winner came on a bizarre play. DaMarcus Beasley was hacked down in the 51st minute by Luis Vallenilla, setting up a 25-yard free kick. Bobby Convey's cross met Carlos Bocanegra in the box, from where the defender headed it off the goalpost.
Brian McBride collected the ball and shot off the crossbar. Kirovski finally was able to put it past behind goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci as Venezuela's defenders stood around.
It was Kirovski's first goal since scoring in a 2-1 win over New Zealand in the 1999 Confederations Cup. He was considered effectively off the national team, having made his last appearance in March 2002 in a loss to Germany.
Donovan's goal was anything but odd. Collecting a ball from John O'Brien, he charged 35 yards to fire a low shot past a startled Angelucci in a precise move that was vintage Donovan.
The goals were bright spots in an otherwise forgettable match. American players seemed disinterested before a crowd of 17,819 after Japan, the scheduled foe, pulled out, citing security concerns. Several thousand tickets were returned.
