Poland is no match for the U.S., 3-0

Carlos Bocanegra and Oguchi Onyewu headed in first-half goals, substitute Eddie Lewis scored in the second half and the U.S. soccer team defeated Poland, 3-0, in an exhibition game Wednesday night at Krakow, Poland.

“In general we haven’t been the best in Europe, but over the last year or two we’ve certainly gotten better,” Lewis said. “To beat a team that is in the European Championship and having qualified so soundly is definitely huge.”

The margin of victory was the largest for the Americans in Europe since a 3-0 victory over Austria in April 1998. After that match in Vienna, the U.S. team has gone 4-14-3 in Europe, defeating Poland three times and Switzerland, 1-0, last October.

Landon Donovan, making his 99th international appearance, wore long sleeves and black gloves on a chilly night and set up the first two goals. His free kick was headed by an unmarked Bocanegra past goalkeeper Artur Boruc in the 12th minute.

Next up for the Americans are exhibition games at England on May 28 and at Spain on June 4, most likely followed by a match against Argentina at Giants Stadium on June 8. The United States opens World Cup qualifying on June 15 against Barbados at Carson.

Barbados is ranked 137th by FIFA, while the United States is ranked 28th.

Poland, grouped with Germany, Austria and Croatia at June’s European Championship, struggled to find gaps in the U.S. defense. The best Poland chance came in the 56th, when substitute Radoslaw Matusiak danced through a host of defenders to fire a hard drive that goalkeeper Tim Howard punched over the crossbar.

“It’s a bad result, I recognize that, and especially a bad first half,” Poland Coach Leo Beenhakker said.

Mexico 2, Ghana 1 -- Late goals from Carlos Salcido and Pavel Pardo lifted Mexico to victory in an international friendly at London.

Ghana took the lead early in the second half when Michael Essien sent a 30-yard shot past Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and into the net off the left post.