Japan made a disappointing start to the World Cup year after being condemned to a 3-2 defeat by the United States in a friendly in San Francisco on Friday night.
Landon Donovan (center) of the United States vies for the ball with Japan's Yuki Abe (right) and Mitsuo Ogasawara during their friendly international at SBC Park in San Francisco.
First-half goals from Eddie Pope and Clint Dempsey put the Americans on their way before Taylor Twellman capped an impressive display with the third early in the second period at SBC Park.
Substitute Seiichiro Maki opened his Japan account when he pulled one back on the hour mark, and defender Yuji Nakazawa added a second in the dying stages, but it proved too little too late for Zico's men.