Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States forward Aron Johannsson (9) and midfielder Mix Diskerud (10) celebrate after Johannsson's goal against Azerbaijan during the second half at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

I THOUGHT my last football game at Candlestick was the 49ers final regular season game... but alas I was wrong! I got to photograph a "football" game again with tonight's friendly between USA and Azerbaijan as the USA prepares for FIFA World Cup this summer in Brazil.

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States forward Chris Wondolowski (18) between plays against Azerbaijan during the first half at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

While I've photographed Mexico seven times in the last few years, (Gooooooooooooool), I haven't covered a USA Mens Senior National Team game since I worked for ISI as official US Soccer photographer in the 2009 Gold Cup games in Seattle. And now, unlike then, almost half of the players are younger than me!

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States forward Aron Johannsson (9) celebrates with defender Matt Besler (5) after scoring a goal against Azerbaijan during the second half at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Noticeably cut from the roster much to the disappointment of a lot of fans, a fixture on the national team for over a decade, Landon Donovan.

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States fans hold a cutout of Landon Donovan's face, who did not make the 23-man roster during the second half against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States fan holds a "we need Donovan in the world cup" sign during the first half against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; A United States fans holds a ESPN sign that says "everybody misses caption Donovan" during the second half against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

But USA was not with a #10 as 23 year old Mix Diskerud came up with USA's first goal.

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States midfielder Mix Diskerud (10) celebrates on the ground with forward Aron Johannsson (9), defender Matt Besler (5) and defender Omar Gonzalez (3) after scoring a goal against Azerbaijan goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev (1) during the second half at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Followed by a goal headed in by Aron Johannsson off a corner from Brad Davis.

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States forward Aron Johannsson (9) high fives midfielder Brad Davis (14) after scoring a goal off Davis' corner kick during the second half with defender Matt Besler (5) against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

While nine players are younger than (does that give away my age?) Donovan out is not necessarily to opt for a younger roster, considering hometown favorite Chris Wondolowski, who at 31 is his very own Cinderella story! Wondo!!!

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States forward Chris Wondolowski (18) between plays against Azerbaijan during the first half at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

For someone who doesn't have cable and rarely watches games, I'm pretty excited for World Cup!

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States midfielder Mix Diskerud (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Azerbaijan during the second half at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports I wish I could experience the feeling of scoring a goal (or any feat) for my country. Maybe it has something to do with how awesome those Gatorade ads always are. They also showed the gatorade advertisement set to Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo =)

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States fans react with goalkeeper Tim Howard (1) in goal after USA scored a goal against Azerbaijan during the second half at Candlestick Park. The United States defeated Azerbaijan 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Interestingly enough, with Azerbaijan not in the World Cup, their head coach Berti Vogts can now transition back to his other job, scouting USA opponents as special assistant to USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. 

Soccer: Friendly-USA vs AzerbaijanMay 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Azerbaijan head coach Berti Vogts and United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann walk onto the field before the game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports