U.S. Leaves Poland in the Cold

Shrugging off the sub-zero temperature, driving snow and a physically powerful opponent, the United States shut out Poland, 1-0, in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Wednesday in a soccer international that underlined the Americans’ World Cup credentials.

The victory, on a Clint Dempsey goal in the 48th minute, was the U.S. team’s fourth in a row after defeating Norway, Japan and Guatemala. The U.S. is unbeaten in 2006 at 4-0-1 as it prepares for this summer’s tournament in Germany.

It was only the second time since he became U.S. coach in 1998 that Bruce Arena had defeated a European opponent on European soil. Arena is 2-6-1 in Europe. His only other victory was also against Poland, in 2004.

“It wasn’t a lucky win, it was a hard-earned victory,” Arena said.

The U.S. struggled in the early going, especially in midfield, but the Americans regrouped in the second half and had the better of the match the rest of the way as the snowstorm worsened.

The lone goal at Fritz Walter Stadium came three minutes into the second half when defender Eddie Lewis crossed the ball into the goal area from the left flank.

Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc and U.S. forward Taylor Twellman both went for the ball, which Boruc failed to punch clear. The ball rebounded off Twellman to Dempsey, rushing in at the right post, and he headed it into the open net from close range.

After the goal, Dempsey and forward Eddie Johnson stood at attention and saluted American military personnel and their families who made up much of the crowd of 13,395.

Kaiserslautern, where the U.S. plays Italy in the World Cup on June 17, is home to some 50,000 U.S. servicemen and women. The U.S. team stayed at the Ramstein Air Base during its trip.

The goal was Dempsey’s fourth for the U.S. and his first game-winner as he and Twellman, both from the New England Revolution, solidified their chances of making the World Cup roster.

Poland, which plays Germany, Costa Rica and Ecuador in the first round of the World Cup, failed to impress. It was the Poles’ first game in four months and the rust showed, even though they outshot the U.S., 6-4.

Jones reported from Los Angeles. Times wire services contributed to this report.