Australia's World Cup warm-up against the US was one of the most entertaining matches of Pim Verbeek's reign, which is to say it probably didn't entertain Verbeek.

Congratulating the Socceroo coach for entertaining football is tantamount to congratulating Yes Minister's James Hacker for "courageous" decision-making.

Verbeek doesn't set out to entertain.

He is about results, not rave reviews.

The Dutchman is conservative by nature.

He has built Australia's success on solid defence.

He hates to concede goals, and there he was at Ruimsig stadium watching his team let in three.

It could have been five or six, as two-goal hero Edson Buddle and his striking partner Robbie Findley created havoc.

End to end football, thrills and spills, marauding attacks, shots galore ... what was going on out there?

Verbeek even played two strikers - now there's a rare sight - as the Socceroos sought a late equaliser.

It was a terrific match for fans, but maybe not so terrific for the coach of a team that loses 3-1 a week before its World Cup opener.

The biggest worry was the first goal, a punishment for Vince Grella's cardinal sin of giving away the ball just outside his own penalty area.

Mark Bresciano was another who looked strangely out of touch.

The Australians created a swag of chances, but the only one converted came courtesy of midfielder Tim Cahill - no surprise there.

Craig Moore was back to his feisty self, which is probably a good sign.

He got head-to-head at one point with American hard man Clint Dempsey.

They looked like rutting stags, and both were cautioned for their troubles.

But for all the good and bad, it was a strangely out of character Australian display and only Verbeek's fifth loss in 30 games over two and a half years.

It was the most un-Verbeek of matches, and the most un-Verbeek of results.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP