Caligiuri Puts on a Show, but Salsa Loses, 5-3 : Soccer: Strong second half by San Fernando Valley team spoils his debut in Mission Viejo.

MISSION VIEJO —  Paul Caligiuri and the Salsa made their Mission Viejo debut Sunday at Trabuco Hills High School, but the outcome was not what players or the more than 900 fans had hoped for.

The San Fernando Valley Golden Eagles defeated the Western Division-leading Salsa, 5-3, in U.S. International Soccer League action.

U.S. World Cup defender Caligiuri, playing in his first game for the Salsa (3-2), was disappointed with the loss, but he is optimistic about the league’s development and its impact on the game.

The U.S. International Soccer League is experimenting with rule changes in hopes of bringing more action to the game. Along with a 30-minute running clock that stops on dead balls, teams also have the option of throwing or kicking in the ball on out of bounds plays within 25 yards of the goal, leading to more scoring opportunities.

“I don’t know about all the changes,” Caligiuri said, laughing, “but I think this league is going to serve as a good stepping stone for players. It is also a good chance to develop the league, trying out the new rules. And when you have eight goals scored the fans like it.”

Caligiuri, 31, started the last seven World Cup games for the U.S. and played in the 1988 Olympics. He joined the Salsa last week in hopes of getting in three or four competitive games before joining the U.S. national team this summer.

“This is good preparation for the summer, especially with the running clock. I will get more than 45 minutes of play a half,” Caligiuri said.

Caligiuri showed off his talents early in the game. With the Salsa leading, 1-0, after a goal by Juan Solis three minutes into the game, Caligiuri took the ball at midfield and lobbed a perfect pass over the pack to Solis, who was racing toward the goal. Solis slammed the ball into the net to give the Salsa a 2-0 lead with under 25 minutes remaining in the half. Solis scored all three Salsa goals.

It took the Golden Eagles (2-2) a little more than a minute to tie the score, 2-2, on goals by Raul Haro and Armando Valdivia.

The second half belonged to the Golden Eagles, who led, 3-2, three minutes into the second half. Edgardo Rivera popped in a shot from 40 yards that goalkeeper Nat Gonzalez had no chance of saving. Valdivia added another goal at 20:30 for a 4-2 Golden Eagle lead, as he drilled in a crossing pass from Sergio Pizano. The game was put out of reach with 15 minutes remaining, when Luis Gherardi put a header into the goal off the fingertips of Gonzalez.

Golden Eagle goalkeeper Jorge Vela had a strong performance, getting five saves and pulling down more than 10 crossing shots.