Just seven days earlier, the fleet-footed Mexicans put four goals past Bolivia in the first 20 minutes in their 5-0 victory.

"We tried to keep it tight and tidy in our first game for five months," Herbert said. "We had a lot of key players missing and I thought we were excellent in that first-half."

There was a real sense of anticipation going to the stadium and playing in front of 90,000 vocal fans was a tremendous environment to be in, Herbert said. "Just to be invited here is a big sign of respect."

The performances of Auckland City's Chad Coombes and 19-year-old Ipswich Town defender Tommy Smith, whose allegiance switch from England to New Zealand was confirmed 48 hours before kick-off, was a real positive.

"It was good to get them into the environment, we didn't even have time to get set plays together - just two training sessions," Herbert said.

"We had an informal chat on the whiteboard and what they've done and put forward on the pitch they have certainly done no themselves harm in making the 23-man World Cup squad."

The All Whites played with a 5-3-2 formation, something it would continue to experiment with in friendly matches against Australia and Serbia.

Herbert admitted his side created little in attack, had missed captain Ryan Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich in defence and right-back was still an area he had to fill.

There were no injury concerns, which will be comforting, with four of Herbert's Phoenix facing a short-turn around for their A-League semi-final against Newcastle in Wellington on Sunday.

Herbert said there was no thought given to resting those players.

He added: "While I'm here it is as national coach and the best interests of the team were delivered tonight."

The All Whites depart Los Angeles at 3:30pm on Friday, arrive in Auckland at 7am and get off the plane in Wellington at 10am on Saturday.

Phoenix assemble at Westpac Stadium on Saturday afternoon to assess the All Whites, plus Andrew Durante and John McCain who were involved in the Socceroos 1-0 victory over Indonesia on Wednesday.