Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann was hammered in the press after a 4-1 drubbing by Italy in Florence 21 days ago and was relieved to lift spirits by recording the same scoreline over a weakened United States team.

"We are delighted to get the win tonight. It has not been pleasant getting so much criticism but you have to live with it," a relieved Klinsmann said.

It was the last game before Klinsmann names his 23-man World Cup squad on May 15 and several players stated their case.

"The door is still open as there is always the chance of injuries," said Klinsmann after a replay of the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal between the two teams which Germany won.

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger took just 46 seconds to have an impact after coming on as a second half substitute, with his inswinging free-kick evading everyone and finding the back of the net.

It has been a turbulent time for the 21-year-old Schweinsteiger who was wrongly named in connection with a match-fixing scandal by a Munich newspaper.

Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn also had room for personal celebration, pulling off a brilliant low save from an Eddie Johnson header.

Kahn's save was vital as it stopped the vistors from levelling at 1-1 but thereafter Germany took control scoring three times in six minutes.

Oliver Neuville, an outside bet for a place in Klinsmann's final squad, curled a brilliant volley past Borussia Monchengladbach team-mate Kasey Keller to make it 2-0 on 73 minutes.

The inexperienced US defence collapsed with Miroslav Klose netting in the 75th minute and captain Michael Ballack was on target four minutes later.

It was a slightly flattering scoreline, although Steve Cherundolo scored late on to put the US on the scoresheet, but that did not bother Klinsmann or the bulk of the 66,000 fans at Dortmund's Westfalen Stadium.

"We played well in the first half and then at the beginning of the second half we made a terrible mistake for their goal," said US coach Bruce Arena.

"In the end we made a lot of mistakes and deserved to lose."

Germany have now won 12 of their 13 matches in Dortmund which is turning into something of a fortress for the national team.

Klinsmann will hope it stays that way with the World Cup group match against Poland being played here.