May 26, 2012
HATS OFF
U.S. routs Scotland behind Donovan's hat-trick, 5-1

Landon Donovan struck three times for the U.S. on Saturday night. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Officials of the Antigua and & Barbuda National Team scouted the United States' international friendly with Scotland on Saturday.

What they witnessed could not help their game plan in their World Cup qualifying opener against the Americans in less than two weeks.

Despite playing without midfielder Clint Dempsey and striker Jozy Altidore, the U.S. struck quickly and often, rolling to a rather surprising 5-1 rout of Scotland at Everbank Field.

Striker Landon Donovan led the way with a hat-trick and Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones each added one goal. Making his first appearance with the National Team since last August, Donovan increased his international goal tally to 49 goals, the most in American history.

"We put on a really good performance," Donovan told the NBC Sports Network. "We want to come out and put ona pretty good show."

Which the U.S. did.

It did not take the hosts very long to make their mark as Donovan gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute as he put away his own rebound.

Only five minutes later, Bradley doubled the lead with a long-range strike striker off a half volley for a two-goal bulge.

The Scots got a goal back in the 15th minute as U.S. defender Geoff Cameron accidentally put in a header past goalkeeper Tim Howard and into his own net.

Only a minute after Scotland made a pair of defensive substitutions in the 59th minute, Donovan struck again to restore the U.S.'s two-goal margin at 3-1.

The 30-year-old LA Galaxy player wasn't finished as his connected from the right side of the penalty area, sliding a shot off the left post in the 65th minute. As it turned out, Donovan was denied in the 50th minute on a soft shot off the right post.

"I remember had a hat-trick [in Florida] a few years back," Donovan said. "Maybe it;s a good state for me."

Jones closed out the onslaught with his fifth international score, a 10-yard effort, in the 70th minute.