Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-4 United States: Altidore hat-trick clinches Americans' 12th straight win

Sunderland striker also had an assist as the Stars and Stripes extended their all-time record winning run in a thriller against the world's 13th-ranked team

The United States are beginning to become a force around the world.

Jozy Altidore claimed a hat-trick and an assist to help the US turn a two-goal deficit into a stunning 4-3 victory over 13th-ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly at the Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium on Wednesday.

The Stars and Stripes extended their all-time record winning streak to 12 games and they did it with an experimental side that featured a mix of veterans and four players earning their
first senior caps.

Altidore has been on fire since June's World Cup qualifiers and continued that form with a part in all four goals, assisting Eddie Johnson's opener prior to his treble.

Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic scored for Bosnia-Herzegovina, who entered the match undefeated in six UEFA World Cup qualifying matches.

The US, who haven't lost since May, moved ahead of rival Mexico to 19th in the latest FIFA rankings and could be even higher after this result.

The Americans defeated second-ranked Germany at the beginning of June and breezed through three World cup qualifiers before easily taking first place in the 2013 Gold Cup.

For at least a half against Bosnia-Herzegovina, however, it looked as though their storybook summer would end on a low note.

Dzeko scored in the eighth minute, putting his own rebound past US goalkeeper Tim Howard. In the 30th minute, Ibisevic had a near-post header to give the hosts a two-goal edge at half-time.

The second half started better for the Americans thanks to beautiful combination play between three of the most experienced players on the squad. In the 55th minute, Michael Bradley passed over the top to Altidore, who tapped it across the keeper to Johnson for an 18-yard strike.

Four minutes later, Altidore got a goal of his own after Fabian Johnson set up the new Sunderland player for a one-touch finish. He had his second with a brilliant free kick and capped off his hat-trick in the 86th minute, which was enough of a cushion for the US to still walk away with a win despite a late Dzeko goal.

While Altidore was the star of the show, coach Jurgen Klinsmann was able to get a good look at Aron Jóhannsson, who recently completed a switch from Iceland to the US. The youngster replaced Johnson in the 63rd minute.