Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek insists Tim Cahill will be fit for Australia's World Cup opener despite the star midfielder injuring his neck during a 3-1 friendly defeat by the United States at Ruimsig Stadium on Saturday.

Cahill scored Australia's only goal, then was substituted at halftime after complaining of neck soreness after an awkward header gone wrong.

But Verbeek is confident the Socceroos star will be fine when the team resume serious training on Tuesday ahead of their opening Group D match against Germany in Durban on June 13.

"Timmy - a little bit of massage and he'll be fine," Verbeek said.

"Maybe he could have played the second half, but why take that risk? It was just a ball wrong on his head, a bit unlucky."

Minor as the Socceroos insist Cahill's injury is, it does leave them with three first-choice players in the hands of their medical team just eight days out from the World Cup.

Harry Kewell (groin) did not play in the match despite being named as a substitute, while midfielder Brett Emerton was also rested with a calf problem.

The Socceroos were left with some tightening up to do after a defeat in their final pre-tournament hitout - shown up in the first half particularly as the US outmuscled and outplayed them.

But Australia bounced back with a solid 25-30 minutes in the second, creating plenty of chances for no result.

American striker Edson Buddle scored twice in the first half, before substitute Herculez Gomez put the result beyond doubt with a third in injury-time.

The US went ahead after just four minutes when Buddle was gifted a run at goal by Vinnie Grella's poor pass in the back third and made no mistake with the finish.

The Americans could have easily been 2-0 up after 15 minutes, but after springing the Socceroos' offside trap and rounding keeper Mark Schwarzer, striker Robbie Findley somehow shot wide with the goal begging.

Four minutes later Australia equalised - Cahill netting his 20th goal in 40 appearances for the national team, sliding in at the far post to turn in a Luke Wilkshire corner.

The US then came close after a delightful piece of inter-passing to unlock the Socceroos on 27 minutes, but Schwarzer made a brilliant diving save to deny Clint Dempsey.

But the Americans didn't have to wait long to take the lead - Buddle adding a second in the 31st minute, heading home a pin-point Steven Cherundolo cross from the right.

Australia had further chances to Josh Kennedy and Jason Culina, before Dempsey and Socceroos centre-back Craig Moore were involved in a physical altercation which earned both a yellow card.

The US had a possible third goal disallowed from Michael Bradley's header in the 53rd minute, but the Socceroos spent most of the second half creating and squandering chances.

Three good saves from US reserve goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann denied them an equaliser - Mark Bresciano and Kennedy particularly culpable.

As the game opened up, the US created chances of their own but only managed to take one in injury-time when Gomez netted.

Verbeek felt his side had rebounded from a tough first half to create their share of chances in the second, but admitted there was still plenty for them to work on.

"We have to work on some issues, that's clear. But we still have eight days," Verbeek said.

"We also got enough chances to score goals, but we have to score them."

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