Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - Landon Donovan scored a hat trick and also assisted on a goal as the United States men's national team hammered Scotland, 5-1, on Saturday in a friendly at EverBank Field.

Donovan marked his return from an almost nine-month international absence with the opening goal less than three minutes into the game, and added back-to-back goals in a five-minute stretch of the second half.

Michael Bradley - who scored off a wonderful 30-yard shot - and Jermaine Jones added the other goals, but it was Donovan's day as the Americans started their preparations for 2014 World Cup qualifying.

Donovan converted his first goal off his own rebound, as he lifted a shot into the roof of the net from the right side of the box in the early stages.

Bradley followed with a spectacular goal as he ran onto a drop pass from Jones and drove a half-volley from well outside the area into the upper-right corner in the 11th minute.

Scotland pulled a goal back in the 15th on an own goal from Geoff Cameron, but the United States quickly moved on from the mistake and Donovan put the match away early in the second half.

After shooting off the post in the 50th minute, Donovan bagged his second goal when Jones cut a pass back into the box and he finished with a first-time shot to the lower-left corner.

Donovan was put through by Bradley five minutes later, and he again converted from the right side of the area with a finish to the far post to complete his hat trick and raise his own American scoring record to 49 goals.

Jones capped the lopsided win in the 70th minute when he turned a short cross from Donovan inside the right post with a header from 12 yards.

The United States defeated Scotland for just the second time in seven all-time meetings, and will continue its World Cup preparations Wednesday in a friendly against Brazil.

The Sports Network