CAL SOUTH TRIO SHINES IN U.S. MNT’S 3-0 ROUT OF POLAND
BOCANEGRA & LEWIS FIND BACK OF THE NET
DONOVAN SERVES UP PAIR OF ASSISTS

March 28, 2008 (Krakow, Poland) – Through the stellar play of a trio of Cal South alumni, the U.S. Men’s National Team began a set of international friendlies in high style with a 3-0 shutout of Poland on Wednesday, March 26. The series, which continues with matches against England on May 28 in London and against Spain on June 4 in Santander, is in preparation for the U.S. team’s second-round 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Barbados on June 15 at the Home Depot Center.
 
Carlos Bocanegra and Eddie Lewis, a pair of defenders who began their soccer careers on the fields of Southern California, book-ended a goal by Oguchi Onyewu by finding the back of the net in the 12th minute and 73rd minute, respectively. Bocanegra, serving as the team’s captain for this match, headed a Landon Donovan sideline free kick into the lower left corner of the goal from about six yards out to immediately put the U.S. up in the match. The goal was the ninth of Bocanegra’s career with the U.S. team.

A second free kick later in the first half from Donovan, yet another Cal South alumnus, led to an Onyewu header for the 2-0 lead. With the two first half assists, Donovan now has 30 assists in his 99 National Team caps, which match up nicely with his team record 35 goals. Eddie Lewis summed up things nicely for the U.S. squad late in the second half when he curved a penalty kick over a wall of defenders from about 20 yards out for the 3-0 closer. The win, combined with a defeat of Switzerland in October 2007, marks the first time in their history that the U.S. National Team has won consecutive games on European soil.

Five former Cal South players took the field in the game. In addition to Bocanegra, Lewis and Donovan, Steve Cherundolo started the match, while Benny Feilhaber clocked in for a few minutes late in the game. Bocanegra played for Cal South’s RC United, Cherundolo for the Nomads of San Diego, Donovan for Cal Heat SC, and Feilhaber for the Irvine Strikers, while Lewis spent his formative years playing soccer in Cerritos, California.

-- U.S. Men’s National Team Game Report --