Robbie Findley, Edson Buddle get starts at forward against Australia in last warmup

Findley, Buddle start at forward against Australia

ROODEPOORT, South Africa — Robbie Findley and Edson Buddle started at forward against Australia on Saturday in the last warmup match for the United States ahead of the Americans’ World Cup opener against England.

Jay DeMerit and Clarence Goodson started in central defense, with captain Carlos Bocanegra at left back and Steve Cherundolo on the right before the vuvuzela-blowing fans. Oguchi Onyewu, who returned last month from knee surgery last October, was on the substitutes’ bench.

Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark were in central midfield, with Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey on the wings. Tim Howard was in goal.

Jozy Altidore, who didn’t train for two days after spraining his right ankle in practice, was dressed and on the bench.

Mark Schwarzer, Dempsey’s Fulham teammate, started in goal for Australia, his second game since returning from an injured thumb.

Captain Lucas Neill started on defense with Craig Moore, Luke Wilkshire and Scott Chipperfield. Tim Cahill, Howard’s Everton teammate, was in midfield with Mark Bresciano, Jason Culina, Vince Grella and Richard Garcia. Josh Kennedy was at forward.

Forward Harry Kewell, slowed by a groin injury, was dressed and eligible as a substitute.

The referee was Abdul Ebrahim of South Africa.

It was just the third meeting between the nations. Australia won 1-0 at Orlando, Fla., in 1992, and the teams tied 0-0 six years later at San Jose, Calif.

The United States opens the World Cup against England on June 12, then plays Slovenia and Algeria.

Australia starts against Germany on June 13, then meets Ghana and Serbia.