US vs Azerbaijan

Though it was the first of three glorified dress rehearsals for this summer's main event, U.S. soccer's 2-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday night was nevertheless underwhelming, apart from a pair of illuminating performances by Mikkel 'Mix' Diskerud and Aron Johannsson.

The U.S. Soccer Federation, which is currently ranked 14th in the world by FIFA, scheduled cream puff and 85th ranked Azerbaijan just days ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with one clear intention: an easy win to boost confidence. Though the nation of about 10 million people rarely threatened Tim Howard's goal, this Dos a Cero win was all too labored.

Azerbaijan was brought in, not only to allow the US to win, but to do so via pretty, attractive soccer in front of a home crowd at Candlestick Park. However, the Middle East nation didn't appear to have read the script as they played über defensively and forced the U.S. to break them down slowly and systemically, with both U.S. goals coming from set pieces. Azerbaijan played as if winning the exhibition match meant they could trade places with the U.S. and head to South America in their place.

The U.S. appeared tired and its lacking performance wouldn't have startled any of its fellow Group G opponents or had oddsmakers scrambling to change their early predictions of the U.S. winning it all, which at last look was 100 to 1.

"It was exactly what we need at this point of our preparation after two fully loaded weeks," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann told ESPN. "It was a tricky game. You want to open it up with a goal, and it gets easier. You want to score a bit earlier."

The breakthrough finally arrived for the U.S. in the 75th minute after Diskerud came on as a second-half substitute wearing the No. 10 jersey formally reserved for Landon Donovan, who was cut from the U.S.'s World Cup roster last Thursday. It was an odd site indeed, and Donovan's exclusion would again have been a prominent talking point had the U.S. lost, but Diskerud held off that talk for the moment by smashing home a rebound from a Michael Bradley shot and giving the U.S. a lead it would not relinquish.

"For me, it's just a number," Diskerud said to ESPN. "I feel like I'm just borrowing it. We'll play together someday, and he'll get it back."

The 23-year-old midfielder, who plays his club football in Norway and represented the country at youth level, was positive in every movement after entering the fray and could provide Klinsmann a creative offensive threat off the bench. He's always been seen as an American player with loads of upside, and he could prove to be vital in the coming years. Brazil would be a perfect opportunity to announce his arrival on the world stage.

But the most interesting U.S. contribution, again, came from the bench and again, from a dual citizen in the form of Aron Johannsson. Klinsmann brought the Icelandic-American into the U.S. soccer fold in the summer of 2013. The 6'0" striker provided the U.S. its second goal with a clinical headed finish off of an 81st minute corner kick.

"I think we can be very happy with this game," Johannsson told ESPN. "We've been working ridiculously hard in training."

Johannsson is the definition of a striker in form at present. He scored 26 goals for AZ Alkmaar in Holland's top division during this season.

Johannsson is vying for playing time with fellow Scrabble-winning name combination Chris Wondolowksi, who missed two clear opportunities in the first half. If the U.S. struggles to score, Johansson could be the man Klinsmann turns to off the bench or even in the starting lineup. Starting striker Jozy Altidore struggled to impact the game throughout, with his first shot not coming until the game was nearly two-thirds in the books. Altidore, by contrast, is a striker lacking confidence, having scored only one goal in 30 appearances in the previous campaign for his England-based club team Sunderland.

What's also intriguing about Johannsson is his age. At 23, Johannsson has untapped potential and could prove a star for the U.S. in the future. Remember his name.

Among already well-known names, U.S. captain Clint Dempsey was a strange absentee from the match as he was announced in the pre-game starting lineup, but wouldn't partake, citing a sore groin. Klinsmann said afterwards that Dempsey's injury "wasn't serious at all." Nevertheless, Dempsey's health will be an important storyline for the remainder of the Send-Off Series.

The U.S. will finish up their World Cup warmup matches by facing Turkey on June 1 and Nigeria on June 7. The real thing starts on June 16, when the U.S. opens group play against Ghana.