Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez Help US Finish Strong

The U.S. national team's final exhibition before the 2010 World Cup begins was a 3-1 win over Australia at a small stadium outside Johannesburg that answered some questions and raised others. Here are a few thoughts as the countdown to June 12 and England begins.

Form is everything: Especially for strikers. People wondered whether Edson Buddle's goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy would mean anything at the international level, and whether Herculez Gomez' season with Puebla was a fluke. Scoring goals in bunches is never a fluke, and it breeds a confidence and ruthlessness that will translate to any level.

Buddle had the first two against Australia and Gomez the third, and all were well-taken goals from strikers who are near the top of their game. Buddle was lucky to benefit from a lame turnover by Australia's Vince Grella in the 4th minute, but he took the chance with authority, holding off two defenders and powering his 18-yard shot past Mark Schwarzer.

His 31st-minute header demonstrated a comfort finding space in the penalty area, and Gomez again demonstrated his super-sub capabilities by latching onto a Landon Donovan cross after being on the field for just 10 minutes.

Robbie Findley's finishing was abysmal -- he should have had two goals -- but he was active and far more effective at finding the ball and his role in the attack than in his previous national team appearances. That's improvement, and it gives coach Bob Bradley plenty to think about with June 12 fast approaching. Clint Dempsey had a decent game and appears set to start in midfield with Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley and either Ricardo Clark or Maurice Edu.

Jozy Altidore, nursing a minor ankle sprain, warmed up with the team but did not dress. His availabilty for the England game remains unclear.

Set Piece Vulnerability: The Americans' continuing difficulty defending free kicks and corner kicks could prove their undoing against England. Australia's lone goal on Saturday came straight from a 19th-minute corner that Tim Cahill slid in at the far post. He ran straight past Dempsey, while Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit and Carlos Bocanegra stood tightly bunched just a couple of yards away.

Several other set pieces resulted in very close calls, and there were far too many loose balls in the penalty area for comfort.

Peter Crouch will feast on this defense unless there's some improvement. Or at least a commitment to avoid giving away those opportunities. Force England to score their goals from the run of play and resist the temptation to halt an attack with a foul in the defensive third of the field. That may be the U.S.'s best chance.

Gooch Has A Ways To Go: Oguchi Onyewu entered in the 61st minute for Clarence Goodson and appeared more rusty than he did against Turkey last weekend. It's not unreasonable to expect some lingering rust following his seven-month layoff and rehab, but Onyewu has promised repeatedly that he's 100% fit yet he continues to look awkward running and jumping, and he rushed several clearances against Australia.

England will provide a stern test to whomever starts in front of Tim Howard. With just one week to go, Onyewu has been unconvincing, at least in games, in his effort to prove his ready. If he's not, Bradley has two choices - Goodson and DeMerit in the middle with Bocanegra on the left, or Bocanegra and DeMerit in the middle with Jonathan Spector and Cherundolo out wide.

Temper, Temper: Dempsey's showdown with Craig Moore following a first half foul is worthy of review. Dempsey was justified to feel indignant as a result of Moore's late tackle and the petulant little tug that followed. But Dempsey's pursuit of the defender and the way he thrust his head toward Moore's face was extremely ill-advised.

We've seen too many cards against U.S. players in major tournaments, and an opponent less ethical than Moore might opt to flop to the ground the second Dempsey's forehead drew near.

Bradley's men must err on the side of extreme caution on those circumstances. Walk away. Don't give the referee the opportunity to make a name for himself.