The US National Team opened 2009 with a 2-0 friendly victory over Sweden at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Saturday night.

Eddie Robinson became the 44th player to score in his first cap when the defender scrambled home in the aftermath of a corner kick to open in the 15th minute and Landon Donovan netted his record-setting 35th USMNT goal from the spot just after the break.

The Swedes had won when more filled-out squads met overseas last August, but the Domestic-based side could not fare as well this time.

The hosts came to life quickly, with Ricardo Clark stopped on an early effort after some good ball movement.

Houston backline anchor Robinson, seemingly the only player able to find a restart pinball quick enough, broke the ice on the quarter hour by lashing in a rare goal.

Sweden leveled the field during the back end of the period, but hot transfer topic Brad Guzan was able to make a couple of fine saves in the US cage to preserve the lead until intermission.

Donovan was given the chance to pass Eric Wynalda as the USMNT's top all-time scorer when halftime sub Josmer Altidore was brought down in the area while shooting by Mattias Bjärsmyr, and the Galaxy star made no mistake.

Joining Robinson as first time US internationals were IK Start defender Clarence Goodson and Aarhus GF attacker Jeremiah White.

"For us, it's a good way to start the year," US coach Bob Bradley told reporters. "This camp is always a challenge because guys have been off for a while, but we felt throughout the camp that things we worked on throughout last year were coming back, especially working as a team."

"Our fitness levels came along quickly, and tonight we played against a team who is always a good match for us. The game had tempo. It was physically challenging. I think to come out of it with a good result was important."

The 'Nats return to action against arch rival Mexico at Houston's Reliant Stadium on February 6th.

Scoring
USA - Eddie Robinson (Pat Noonan) 15'
USA - Landon Donovan (PK) 48'

Line-ups
USA - Brad Guzan; Drew Moor, Eddie Robinson (Michael Parkhurst 46') Jimmy Conrad (Clarence Goodson 46'), Ramiro Corrales, Landon Donovan (Jeremiah White 81'), Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, Brad Davis (Sacha Kljestan 72'), Taylor Twellman (Josmer Altidore 46'), Pat Noonan (Chris Rolfe 63')

SWE - Rami Shaaban; Mikael Lustig, Mattias Bjärsmyr, Peter Larsson, Oscar Rönningberg (Behrang Safari 61'), Daniel Andersson, Niclas Alexandersson (Viktor Elm 46'), Anders Svensson, Andreas Johansson (Samuel Holmen 61'), Rade Prica (Johan Oremo 61'), Pontus Wernbloom (Andreas Dahl 78')