Birnbaum's late header lifts US over Iceland in soccer friendly

The 25-year-old defender for Major League Soccer's DC United leaped high in the heart of the penalty area to receive a free kick from Michael Bradley and nodded the ball into the back of the net for the decider, the Americans' first lead on the day.

Toronto striker Jozy Altidore and Tijuana's Michael Orozco also scored for the United States, which seized a 3-2-2 edge in the all-time rivalry with Iceland.

"We're trying to get our legs under us," Altidore said. "It's nice to play a real opponent. We have to get fitter and just be a little bit sharper. Sometimes that first pass wasn't there but that will come in time."

Iceland's Kristinn Steindorsson opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finding the goal with a deflection off defender Orozco.

The Americans equalized in the 20th minute when Bradley chipped a pass over a defender's leg to Altidore, who flicked a left-footed shot past the sprawling goalkeeper for his 32nd international goal, fourth on the all-time US list.

A quick free kick in the 48th minute by Iceland set up Aron Sigudarson, who blasted a right-footed shot past US goalkeeper Luis Robles and inside the far post for a 2-1 Iceland lead.

The Americans pulled level again in the 59th minute when Birnbaum headed a centering pass to the far side of the goal and saw Orozco nod it home.

Orozco had been a Friday addition to the US squad after recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him for the start of the Mexican League season.

Iceland was making early preparation for the European Championships while a US squad mixing under-23 and senior players was girding for key March matchups.

The national team will play at Guatemala on March 25 and host the same rivals four days later in qualifying for the 2018 FIFE World Cup while the under-23 lineup meets Colombia in a two-leg playoff to decide the final berth in August's Rio de Janeiro Olympics.