Sloppy defense and careless goalkeeping sent the United States to a disconcerting defeat at the hands of Venezuela in the final friendly before their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign starts against Guyana on June 19.
Another bad start never improved as Venezuela surged ahead as on-loan Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon scored either side of Jefferson Savarino's goal in the first half.
This was the first time USA had trailed by three goals in an opening half since facing Spain in June 2011 and is another worrying result after a 1-0 defeat by Jamaica four days ago.
Rondon's two goals moved him ahead of Juan Arango in the Venezuelan scoring charts with 24, and La Vinotinto beat the Americans for the first time after a run of three defeats and two draws.
The loss to Jamaica - only their second home defeat by a Caribbean nation in a half-century - that prompted forward Josh Sargent and six others to be cut from the squad.
The defense was the most glaring issue this time, with coach Gregg Berhalter describing it as 'really careless' during a halftime interview.
Many of the 23,955 fans at Nippert Stadium, home of the Major League Soccer's new Cincinnati team, booed as the half ended.
The U.S. enters the Goal Cup with an unproven goalkeeper for the first time in three decades, and it showed on Sunday.
A bad decision by stopper Zack Steffen, who was in goal for the second straight game, set up Venezuela's first score.
His careless pass went directly to Yangel Herrera in front of the penalty area. Steffen was out of position as Rondon got a pass from Jhon Murillo and knocked in his 23rd international goal.
Another defensive lapse off a throw-in set up Venezuela's second score. Jefferson Savarino hit the left post, followed the carom past two stuck-in-place defenders and scored from the right side, his first international goal in 10 appearances.
Rondon circled around defender Aaron Long for the third score.
Berhalter is still refining his line-up for the tournament, and several players were held out Sunday as they worked into shape.
Christian Pulisic joined the team on Thursday and didn't play against Venezuela. Forward Jonathan Lewis and midfielder Michael Bradley are recovering from hamstring strains, and Tyler Adams does not report until Tuesday.
Forward Tyler Boyd made his debut, one of five lineup changes. The 24-year-old attacker made five appearances for New Zealand before FIFA approved his switch to the U.S. last month.
Forward Jozy Altidore made his first appearance since the October 2017 loss at Trinidad and Tobago that ended the Americans' streak of seven World Cup appearances.
No matter. The scoreless streak for the U.S. reach 266 minutes as the Americans misfired or were denied on chances in the second half.
Berhalter was hired in December to implement an attacking, possession-oriented style, and he lamented a lack of speed and aggression against Jamaica. Only two players positioned in the penalty area much of the time, which became a focus for improvement in Sunday's game.
The Gold Cup opener on June 18, against Guyana in Minnesota, is the first competitive match for the Americans in 20 months.