Denmark 3, USA 2 - Bendtner Hattrick Powers Denmark Over Struggling United States

The United States were largely outplayed tonight in Denmark, and the final scoreline of 3-2 accurately reflects this. Which is why the outcome is all the more frustrating for US fans.

Nicklas Bendtner's first international hattrick powered the Danes to a deserved come from behind win that they had been dominating since early in the first half.

Bendtner's first two goals were very similar, capitalizing on a disorganized US backline to tap in the equalizer in the 32nd and volleying home a second in the 83rd. In stoppage time however he received a spectacular ball from Christian Eriksen who beat a stagnant John Brooks into space and slotted home the winner past US keeper Nick Rimando.

The US goals were largely out of nothing, particularly the opener. In the 19th minute after dealing with a large spell of pressure from Denmark in their own half and nearly conceding the opener themselves, Timmy Chandler played what seemed to be a harmless ball over the top to Jozy Altidore. With two defenders in the way, Jozy battled his way to ball and volleyed a shot over Danish keeper Stephan Andersen with the help of a slight deflection off an outstretched leg for an early 1-0 US lead.

It was short-lived as Bendtner's first cancelled out Jozys' opener just about ten minutes later. Denmark dominated for large stretches of the first half and even coming out of halftime were probably unlucky to not be ahead. So it was a bit of a shock when they fell behind again midway though the second half.

This was the high water mark for the United States on the day. Aron Johannsson started a counter by stealing the ball in the midfield. A quick combination play down the left flank gave Michael Bradley the space to chip Altidore in over the top, and he calmly found Johannsson who bundled home the go-ahead goal in traffic. The quick combination play was the only time the US actually countered on the day and were able to tear open the Danish backline.

But for the rest of the day, it was all Denmark, who generated twelve shots compared to the Americans four and the Danes held a 60-40% advantage in possession. The US struggled to maintain possession, and when they did, most of the passes were being pinged harmlessly around the back. Long balls and over the top passes were the norm for the US and the defense struggled throughout the night. Greg Garza and Chandler were beaten on several occasions deep in their own half leading to chances as crosses routinely whizzed past the post of Rimando's posts. John Brooks and Michael Orozco were not terrible in the middle, although Orozco was subbed out late and debutant Ventura Alvarado struggled in the late stages as the US conceded twice.

And it's the continued pattern of late defeats that is quickly becoming the norm for the United States under Jurgen Klinsmann:

Third time since Nov that #USMNT lost a game in which it led during the 2nd half. No such losses in the previous 4 calendar years (2010–13).

— Peter Hirdt (@PeterHirdt) March 25, 2015

The US has now won just 2 of 11, marking its worse stretch this century. #USMNT #KlinsmannRevolution

— The Yanks Are Coming (@YanksAreComing) March 25, 2015

The USA is in action again on March 31 when they play Switzerland in Zurich.

United States: Rimando, Garza, Brooks, Orozco Fiscal (Alvarado 80'), Chandler, Johnson (Shea 46'), Bradley, Bedoya (Morales 46'), Zardes (Yedlin 67'), Altidore, Johannsson (Rubin 67')

Goals: Altidore (19'), Johannsson (66')

Denmark: Andersen, Sviatchenko, Kjaer, Boilesen (S. Poulsen 52'), Wass, J. Poulsen (Delaney 46'), Kvist, Krohn-Delhi (Schöne 78'), Eriksen (Christiansen 46'), Vibe (Braithwaite 74'), Bendtner

Goals: Bendtner (32', 83', 90')