Korean players celebrating Son Heung-min's goal (right) [Gettyimages/AFP=Yonhap News]

The Korean national football team has secured a comfortable two-goal victory in an away friendly match against the United States, marking the start of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup finals in North and Central America.

Under the guidance of head coach Hong Myung-bo, the Korean national team (FIFA ranking 23rd) defeated the United States (15th) 2-0 in a friendly match held on the 7th (Korean time) at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The victory was secured by a decisive goal from Son Heung-min (LA Galaxy) in the 18th minute of the first half, followed by a second goal from Lee Dong-gyeong (Gimcheon), assisted by Son Heung-min, in the 43rd minute.

This match, the first since confirming their spot in the World Cup finals, saw the national team field players from Europe and other overseas leagues, facing off against co-hosts United States and Mexico in friendly matches. The team has signaled a refreshing start to their "World Cup mode."

This was the first senior men's national team encounter against the United States in 11 years and 7 months, since their 0-2 loss in a friendly match held in Los Angeles in February 2014. With this victory, Korea extends its historical advantage to 6 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses.

The national team is scheduled to play their second friendly match on the 10th against Mexico (13th in FIFA rankings) at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.

In this match, Hong Myung-bo's squad deployed Son Heung-min not as a winger, but as the central striker to lead the attack.

Lee Dong-gyeong and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) provided support behind Son Heung-min, while in midfield, Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City) and Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk) formed a partnership.

The team experimented with a tactical setup featuring a three-man defense with Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Ju-seong (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland). Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien) and Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade) were positioned as wing-backs.

Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan) was in goal.

For the United States, European-based striker Josh Sargent (Norwich City) led the line. Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), the star player who was omitted from the team after refusing to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June-July and has since returned to the squad, started in the second line.

Despite being slightly outplayed in the early stages of the match, Korea conceded a critical chance in the 14th minute.

Capitalizing on a passing error by Kim Min-jae, Sargent, positioned around the penalty arc, unleashed a sharp right-footed shot. Jo Hyeon-woo made a difficult save, stretching his body to deny the effort, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Two minutes later, Korea began to find their attacking rhythm. A clever through ball from Paik Seung-ho into the space behind the defense led to a right-footed shot by Lee Dong-gyeong from the right side of the penalty area, which was saved by the goalkeeper. Then, in the 18th minute, Son Heung-min opened the scoring, giving Korea the lead.

In the 18th minute, Lee Jae-sung threaded a sharp through ball from the left flank. Son Heung-min, making a run into the left side of the penalty area, finished with his left foot to break the deadlock.

Son Heung-min, who is second on the all-time scoring list for the Korean men's senior national team, netted his 52nd career goal, bringing him within six goals of Cha Bum-kun's record of 58 goals.

Despite facing defensive crises due to repeated errors, which were overcome by Jo Hyeon-woo's "impenetrable defense," Hong Myung-bo's team extended their lead with a second goal in the 43rd minute.

Son Heung-min exchanged passes with Lee Jae-sung, then flicked the ball in front of the goal, which Lee Dong-gyeong tapped in with his left foot for the team's second goal, ending the first half with a 2-0 lead.

In the 5th minute of the second half, Lee Jae-sung signaled hamstring pain and was unable to continue, leading to a substitution with Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City). In the 18th minute of the second half, Hong Myung-bo made further changes, bringing on Oh Hyun-gyu (Genk), Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) for Son Heung-min, Kim Jin-kyu, and Lee Dong-gyeong, respectively.

Castrop, born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 2003 to a German father and a Korean mother, made his senior national team debut immediately after being selected.

The United States also sought to equalize by introducing attacking changes, including replacing Sargent with Folarin Balogun (Monaco) around the same time, and shifting to a three-man defense. The Korean team faced periods of pressure from the opponent in the middle of the second half.

However, the national team regrouped their defensive line in the 38th minute of the second half, bringing on Jeong Woo-yeong (St. Louis City) and Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers) for Seol Young-woo and Kim Ju-seong, maintaining their clean sheet.

Jeong Woo-yeong, returning to the national team for the first time since June 2021, was tested in the wing-back position, which is not his primary role.

In the 45th minute of the second half, Oh Hyun-gyu's header from Lee Tae-seok's cross was saved by the goalkeeper, missing an opportunity for a third goal. In added time, Jo Hyeon-woo made another superb save on Balogun's shot in front of the goal, sealing the clean sheet victory.

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