South Africa 0-1 USA: Hello, Cherundolo

It wasn't pretty, and the players you expected to perform all but disappeared in the South African altitude, but the U.S. men's national team managed to finish the year with its second straight win in an international friendly, defeating South Africa, 1-0, to win the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup.

The lone goal came from an unexpected source. Right back Steve Cherundolo collected a pass from Maurice Edu in the 27th minute and painted the corner to give the U.S. the lead. It was only the second goal in 43 caps for the Hannover 96 defender.

Bob Bradley started Freddy Adu and Clint Dempsey up front, and while both made opportunities for themselves, they were clearly frustrated by the Bafana Bafana defense. Adu missed DaMarcus Beasley badly on a cross at the end of the first half. Perhaps when this team returns to South Africa in 2009, Adu will know to make that pass.

Beasley and Benny Feilhaber were relatively quiet in this game, as was Jozy Altidore, who came in after 64 minutes and didn't really do much. Perhaps he was still too enthralled by those lions. Teenagers are easily distracted.

The big story, though, was the American back line.

The importance of Carlos Bocanegra cannot be understated. The Fulham captain only played for a half next to Oguchi Onyewu, who looks better with every cap. These two make a solid duo in central defense, and they got plenty of help from Cherundolo and Heath Pearce. Everton goalie Tim Howard only had to make one save in the first half.

When Bocanegra was replaced in the second half, the defense looked a little less organized. South Africa picked up the pace and created more opportunities for themselves, resulting in a lot of hectic clearances. Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, however, loomed large in goal and played very well. He's going to get some long looks from some European clubs.

It was a grind-it-out sort of win that might have reminded some of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea teams, but ultimately, it was Bob Bradley's second consecutive victory in hostile territory -- a sure sign that this team is headed in the right direction. The next match for the U.S. is January 19 against Sweden in Carson, California.