Bedoya scores, 3 players make debuts as US starts 2018 World Cup prep with 1-0 win at Czechs

Czech Republic's Vaclav Pilar, right, looks on as his teammate Pavel Kaderabek, left, challenges Julian Green of the U..S, center, during their friendly soccer match in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

Czech Republic's Pavel Kaderabek, left, challenges Julian Green of the U.S, right, during their friendly soccer match in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

Alejandro Bedoya scored in the 39th minute, and a youthful U.S. soccer team started the four-year cycle of preparation for the 2018 World Cup with a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in Prague on Wednesday night.

Three players made their U.S. debuts, with 21-year-old forward Joe Gyau playing the entire match, 23-year-old defender Greg Garza entering in the 63rd, and 18-year-old midfielder Emerson Hyndman coming in four minutes later. Hyndman made his debut last month with Fulham in England's second tier.

The U.S. went ahead when goalkeeper Petr Cech, dropped from Chelsea's starting lineup by manager Jose Mourinho, sent the ball upfield to Vladimir Darida. Mix Diskerud stripped the midfielder and dribbled right back at Cech. The goalkeeper made a diving stop, and the ball ricocheted to Bedoya, who scored on a left-footed shot for his second goal in 33 international appearances.