(Reuters) – Venezuela scored three goals without reply in a whirlwind first half to grab a convincing 3-0 win over the United States in a friendly in Cincinnati on Sunday.
It was the first time the South Americans had beaten their North American rivals in six meetings.
Salomon Rondon got goals in the 16th and 36th minutes and Jefferson Savarino scored another in between with half an hour gone to give the Venezuelans the perfect send-off before next week’s Copa America in Brazil.
Venezuela are in Group A along with Peru, Bolivia and the host nation.
The United States’ next match is their Gold Cup opener against Guyana on June 18.
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; editing by Clare Fallon)
