United States 2, Venezuela 0

Read it March 29, 2003

SEATTLE -- Jovan Kirovski and Landon Donovan scored and Kasey Keller delivered a shutout during a homecoming to Washington as the United States beat Venezuela 2-0 on Saturday in an exhibition game.

Keller, from nearby Olympia, made only two saves but didn't need to be spectacular as he improved to 14-0-4 in his last 18 home games for the national team. He was among six Americans seeing their first international action since the 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany at last year's World Cup.

It was even an longer break for Kirovski, who hadn't played since a 4-2 loss at Germany last March. And the layoff showed during a listless first half for both sides, with many U.S. centering passes too high or off the mark.

The United States (3-1 this year) went ahead in the 52nd minute when Kirovski knocked the ball into the left side of the goal after a flurry when the defense disappeared.

Brian McBride sent a shot off a post and the rebound went to Carlos Bocanegra, whose shot went off the crossbar and went to Kirovski. It was the first goal against the improving Venezuelans in four games since a 2-0 loss to Morocco on March 3, 2002.

Donovan, who replaced Kirovski in the 60th minute, put the Americans ahead 2-0 in the 76th minute with a spectacular goal. He took a pass from John O'Brien and sprinted up the left side, beating two defenders and drawing out goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci.

With McBride open in front of the net, Donovan slotted the ball with his right foot and it went in just inside the far post for his eighth goal in 33 international appearances.

With European leagues off and Major League Soccer not starting until April 5, the U.S. team had many of its top players, fielding a lineup that Keller, McBride, O'Brien Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Pope and Earnie Stewart.

The Venezuelan, who put up a strong defense throughout the first half, were a late replacement for Japan, which canceled their U.S. trip after the outbreak of war in Iraq.

Notes: Keller, the backup to Brad Friedel at last year's World Cup, got his 29th shutout in 61 appearances, three shutouts short of Tony Meola's record. It was Keller's first game since last May 19, when he played the second half against the Netherlands in the last pre-World Cup exhibition game for the U.S. team. ... The Americans' next game is against Mexico on May 8 at Houston.

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