BUILT TO LAST—The USA men’s water polo team practices Tuesday night at Cal Lutheran University. America has three upcoming matches against Montenegro. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers “USA! USA! USA!”

World Cup soccer addicts following the games in South Africa aren’t the only ones beaming with American pride—fans are belting praise for a national sports team right here in the Conejo Valley.

For the third straight summer, the Team USA men’s water polo team calls Thousand Oaks home.

Families from Westlake to Camarillo have opened their homes to players who train here.

Cal Lutheran University and Oaks Christian have let Team USA use their facilities for free. Businesses like Stone Ground Breads Bakery in Agoura have donated meals.

Veteran goalkeeper Merrill Moses of Rancho Palos Verdes has trained with the USA team since 1997. He was apprehensive of the move at first.

“Thousand Oaks has taken us in as family,” said Moses, a starter on the Olympic silver-medal squad. “There are tons of host families. They’ve helped us with housing and every time we have games, there are sellout crowds.

“It was awkward in 2008. Now, this is home base for us. People support us, it’s great. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

The only place the team would rather be is on the podium receiving gold medals at the Olympics.

Team USA isn’t resting after earning a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The squad is preparing for the World League Super Final in Serbia from July 13-18, and the World Cup in Romania at the end of July.

Head coach Terry Schroeder, who lives and owns a chiropractic business in Westlake, and his staff cut the roster to 18 players from 30 this week in preparation for Saturday’s 5 p.m. game against Montenegro at Cal Lutheran.

Before traveling overseas, the roster will be trimmed to 15 players.

The players are looking forward to the battle against Montenegro.

Team USA lost at Montenegro last summer during that country’s independence day in front of 7,000 fans.

This time, the U.S. will play host to Montenegro on July 2 and—fittingly enough—the Fourth of July as part of the threegame exhibition.

Tony Azevedo, a Stanford alumnus who has starred on two U.S. Olympic squads, is one of the world’s best attackers. He plays professionally in Montenegro.

The attacker likes the USA’s balance between veterans and youngsters.

“Essentially that’s what you want,” Azevedo said. “You’ve got older guys teaching the younger guys.”

Team USA isn’t just focusing on the 2012 London Olympics— they’re also preparing for the 2016 Games at Rio de Janeiro.

“We’ve coined the term ‘Core 16,’” Schroeder said. “A lot of guys training with us are on a sixyear plan to make it to Rio in 2016. “We’ll probably have a lot of players retire after 2012. We have to look to develop younger players.”

Schroeder said the U.S. is one of 10 countries that could secure gold in 2012.

For now, players are happy staying and growing close with their host families.

Azevedo has stayed with Jerry and Gloria Reed of Camarillo for three summers.

“What’s been great is the support of the community,” Azevedo said. “About 99 percent of the players are based in Newport Beach or Long Beach. Since we’ve moved here, the support’s been fantastic.”

Moses has stayed with Billy and Martha Ridge of Westlake for three years.

Adam Wright, a driver who has 15 years experience on the national team, stays with Gayle Majors and the Ridge family.

Wright, who also is the head coach of the UCLA men’s water polo team, said the move to the Conejo Valley offered a “fresh start” for the program.

“We’re close with the host families,” Wright said. “It’s really been one of the best moves we’ve made. We didn’t know what to expect. It’s been great.”

Peter Varellas, a left-handed driver, stays with the Stark family in Thousand Oaks. He has watched the Starks’ young daughters grow up.

Varellas said the training, which began in late May, has been tough.

“Training’s always hard,” Varellas said. “The coaches will make sure of that.”

Rick McKee, the team manager, said the community support has had a huge impact on the program, even in the pool.

“I don’t think we’d have the success we’ve had without the help of this community,” McKee said.

“This area up here, for me, has a Midwest hometown feel to it. It’s a real close-knit community. They’ve opened up their arms to the team.”