Altidore scores twice as U.S. men finish 3-0 in send-off series

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jozy Altidore ended a six-month scoreless streak with a pair of goals, leading the United States over Nigeria 2-1 Saturday night in the Americans’ World Cup send-off match.

Altidore tapped in Fabian Johnson’s cross in the 31st minute on a play that started with an Alejandro Bedoya run, stopping a 27-match scoreless streak for club and country with his first goal since Dec. 4 for Sunderland against Chelsea.

He doubled the lead in the 68th, running onto Michael Bradley’s looping 30-yard pass over the defense. Altidore took a touch with each foot as he cut inside of Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo, then beat goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama with a right-footed shot from 12 yards.

The U.S. was undefeated (3-0) in its send-off series for the first time since it started in 2002.

Making their seventh straight World Cup appearance, the Americans head to Brazil tonight and open June 16 against Ghana, the team that eliminated them from the last two tournaments.

Victor Moses converted an 86th-minute penalty kick for Nigeria after he was knocked over in the penalty area by Matt Besler.