USA national team boss Juergen Klinsmann was in a positive mood after watching his side defeat Slovenia 3-2 in Ljubljana in an international friendly on Tuesday night.
In captain Carlos Bocanegra's 100th match the US were up 3-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Edson Buddle, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore (penalty) and despite conceding when Tim Matavz scored his second just after the hour-mark, Klinsmann was buoyed by another improved showing.
"As a group we are growing. There was a special atmosphere today because it was our captain's 100th game," the German said.
"It's a very, very special moment, and the team wanted to do well for him. He had an excellent game and is a real leader in the back four. Obviously we are pleased with the result, but also the performance."
But Klinsmann said it was important his players were able to remain focus in defence for an entire 90 minutes.
"The concerns that you have when you are in a phase like we are now is how to build the concentration level throughout the whole 90 minutes," he added.
"We are doing well in certain periods, really shifting well and being compact and not allowing many opportunities, even against France (1-0 loss in Paris on Friday).
"When the tempo is that high and a team like Slovenia has very, very good individual players that can always create something out of nothing, you always have to be very alert. This is something that we have to improve."
