Soccer: Altidore, Dempsey give U.S. 2-1 win over Turkey

PHILADELPHIA — American players lingered on the field, waving to adoring red-white-and-blue clad fans. They hope to be making a similar victory lap when games count next month.

Landon Donovan set up second-half goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, leading the United States over Turkey 2-1 on Saturday in the Americans' last exhibition before leaving for South Africa.

"We're going to be as good as we want to be," Donovan said. "And if we play the way we're capable of playing, we can beat a lot of teams in the world."

Arda Turan put the Turks ahead in the 27th minute on a counterattack after right back Jonathan Spector was dispossessed upfield.

Altidore tied the score in the 58th minute and Dempsey put the U.S. ahead in the 75th before an overwhelmingly pro-American crowd of 55,407 at Lincoln Financial Field.

"We were a little bit rusty at times," Altidore acknowledged.

The Americans depart Sunday for South Africa and meet Australia in a last friendly on June 5, one week before their World Cup opener against England. U.S. coach Bob Bradley used something approaching a first-choice lineup, far different from the backup-filled 11 he put on the field for Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Czech Republic in East Hartford, Conn.

Bradley has put the team through lengthy conditioning since players gathered May 17. Now, the running and weightlifting will ease.

"I think we accomplished everything that we would have wanted here," Bradley said. "The type of game we were in today pushed them very hard."

Dempsey was paired at forward with Altidore in the first half, then dropped back to midfield when Robbie Findley replaced midfielder Benny Feilhaber at the start of the second. The U.S. lagged in the first half, but Findley, midfielder Jose Torres and defenders Oguchi Onyewu and Steve Cherundolo all entered at the start of the second and the game changed.

"Findley coming on with his pace was forcing the defense to drop back, so me and Landon were able to get into those pockets," Dempsey said. "And also bringing Jose into the game, he was able to get on the ball, and I thought he locked very confident and helped keep possession for us and caused them to tire a little bit."