BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Marek Hamsik scored from the penalty spot in the first half Saturday to lead Slovakia to a 1-0 win over the United States in an international friendly.

Hamsik converted the penalty in the 26th minute with a low shot to the right corner, with goalkeeper Brad Guzan diving to the opposite direction. The penalty was awarded after United States defender Jonathan Bornstein brought downed Vladimir Weiss in the area.

Michael Bradley, the son of United States coach Bob Bradley, headed in from close range just two minutes into the game following a corner kick by Robbie Rogers but was ruled offside. Also, Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss fielded his son Vladimir in the starting lineup.

This was the first meeting between the teams since Slovakia became an independent state in 1993 following the split of Czechoslovakia. Before that, some Slovaks faced the Americans at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where Czechoslovakia won 5-1.

The United States had to play without Landon Donovan, who scored a goal Friday to help put the Los Angeles Galaxy reach the MLS Cup final with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.

For both teams, the match was the start of preparations the World Cup after they qualified for next year's tournament in South Africa.

Slovakia upset the Czech Republic and Poland in its World Cup qualifying group to reach a major tournament for the first time. The United States finished first in the CONCACAF region, advancing to its sixth consecutive World Cup.

While both teams failed to create scoring chances in the opening stages, the Americans looked to be the more dangerous team, threatening with crosses by Rogers from the right. But Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha was firmly in charge in the area.

Clint Dempsey's shot from 10 meters (yards) missed widely in the 30th minute and six minutes later Benny Feilhaber tested Mucha with a low shot from 20 meters (yards).

A minute later, Dempsey came close with a long range swerving free kick, forcing Mucha to dive to his left to save.

In the last American chance in the first half, Bornstein crossed from the left for Feilhaber, whose diving header was saved by Mucha three minutes before halftime.

Slovakia relied on mostly harmless counterattacks at that part.

United States substitute Eddie Johnson broke down in the 51st but missed the target, while Slovakia forward Erik Jendrisek was denied by Guzan in a quick response a minute later.

In the 54th, Jendrisek failed to score again after collecting a precise through ball from Hamsik when he had just the 'keeper to beat.