Lee Dong-Gyeong also scored for Korea, ranked No.23 in the world, while Matt Freese finished with two saves for the United States.

United States had a chance to take an early lead in the 14th minute when midfielder Sebastian Berhalter intercepted a poor clearing pass by defender Kim Min-Jae outside the middle of the penalty box and drilled a right-footed shot that Jo had to make a diving save on by the left corner of the net.

New Major League Soccer star Son, who scored 75 goals and had 37 assists while playing for US coach Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur, gave Korea a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.

The 33-year-old collected a throughball from Lee Jae-Sung and blasted a left-footed shot from left edge of the six-yard box past Freese and into the far right corner of the net. It was Son's 52nd career international goal.

Lee made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute when he tapped in a crossing pass by Son from the middle of the six-yard box into an open net.

United States turned up the pressure in the second half but couldn't get a shot past Jo, who stopped a Chris Richards shot in the middle of the box off a Berhalter cross in the 74th minute and then made a double-save in the 92nd minute on two attempts from Folarin Bakogun.

The hosts, who have nine more matches remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts, next face Japan onWednesday (AEST) in Columbus, Ohio.