a World Cup tune-up for both, with Clint Dempsey scoring the lone goal for the U.S. in a 1-0 victory in May 2006.
On Wednesday, the U.S. scored all three of its goals off set pieces, the first set up by a 12th-minute free kick by Donovan from the far touchline. Fulham defender Carlos Bocanegra headed in the perfectly placed cross inside the near post from the top of the six-yard box for his ninth career goal to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Along with Donovan, who earned his 99th career cap, and Dynamo teammate Ricardo Clark, Brian Ching was the only other MLS player selected by Bob Bradley and the big Hawaiian nearly doubled the USA's lead four minutes later. But Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc saved his header off a cross from Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany).
Poland, a side that is ranked No. 24 in the world by FIFA and beat Portugal en route to advancing to the European Championship this summer, had a pair of chances near the half-hour mark. But Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard saved Jacek Krzynowek's low shot from the top of the 18-yard box and three minutes later dived to his left to push away Dariusz Dudka's attempt for a corner kick.
Donovan again provided the service on the second U.S. goal, his corner kick found the head of Oguchi Onyewu and the Standard de Liege defender's low header eluded Boruc in the 35th minute for his second consecutive goal in international competition.
Eddie Johnson nearly made it a 3-0 halftime lead, but the Fulham striker's attempt to capitalize off a Polish defensive miscue resulted in another corner kick, one of six for the U.S. in the first half.
After breaking free from Grzegorz Bronowicki's grasp at midfield, Donovan ran free toward goal and should have made it 3-0, but his shot from just inside the penalty area rolled wide of the far post four minutes into the second half.
With the opening weekend of MLS set to kick off in a few days, Bradley gave the MLS players a well-earned rest just after the hour mark, bringing on two who once played in the league: Josh Wolff, who plays for 1860 Munich, coming on for Ching and Derby County midfielder Eddie Lewis replacing Donovan.
Clark, who is still serving a suspension from last season, played the entire 90 minutes. Also coming off in the 63rd minute was Onyewu, who was replaced by Watford defender Jay DeMerit.
Seconds after West Ham United midfielder Jonathan Spector came on for Cherundolo, Lewis scored the final goal for the U.S., bending a left-footed 24-yard free kick over Poland's five-man wall and tucking it inside the near post on 73 minutes.
Howard made three saves, including a punch over the crossbar of substitute Radoslaw Matusiak's driving shot in the 56th minute, to earn his 11th international clean sheet.
The U.S. will take a two-game European winning streak to London when they face England at Wembley Stadium on May 26.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
