USA win 1:0 in first visit to Cuba in since 1947, claims control of World Cup qualifying group

September 7, 2008

Clint Dempsey scored five minutes before halftime to the give USA a 1:0 victory over Cuba in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Saturday night, the first match by a Stars & Stripes’ senior team in the island nation in 61 years.

The result was the USA’s second victory in as many road games, giving it six points atop Group A and putting it in good position to advance from the semifinal round of qualifying. Four of the Stars & Stripes’ six remaining games will be at home, including Wednesday’s match against Trinidad & Tobago in Chicago.

“I thought once again we dealt well with some difficult conditions and came away with a good result,” U.S. manager Bob Bradley said. “We’ve played in two tough games on the road now and have six points, putting ourselves in a very good position going into the match against Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday.”

Cuba remained in last place with zero points and in need of a victory when it travels to Guatemala on Wednesday. Trinidad & Tobago is in second place in Group A with four points, after a 1:1 draw earlier Saturday with Guatemala in Port of Spain that left the Chapines in third with one point. Two teams advance from each of the three semifinal round groups.

With the match played in a steady rain, the United States had the better of play early, but neither team produced many seriously threatening chances. Dempsey broke in behind the Cuban defense in the 15th minute only to shoot wide, and DaMarcus Beasley sent a promising ball through but was too far for Landon Donovan in the 34th.

Oguchi Onyewu started the USA scoring play, sending a long ball from the back into the area. It deflected off Dempsey’s back ahead to Brian Ching, who touched it back to Dempsey for a right-footed strike just inside the near post.

Cuba had the better of play to start the second half, getting a shot from distance by striker Roberto that went over the bar in the bar in the 46th and a shot by midfielder Alain Cervantes in the 58th that US goalkeeper Tim Howard did well to hold without giving up a rebound.

The Stars & Stripes had its chance to double its advantage and add some insurance in the 62nd, but after drawing Cuban keeper Odelin Molina off his line, Beasley curled his right-footed shot wide of the far post.

The Leones del Caribe had a chance to equalize in the 88th minute when defender Yeniel Marquez headed a free kick that deflected off US defender Carlos Bocanegra, but Howard reacted to stop it at the left post.

The victory avenged the result from the USA’s last and only other visit to Cuba, a 5:2 loss in Havana in 1947.

The game was delayed briefly with about five minutes remaining when several of the flood lights went dark, leaving the field dimly lit. It resumed despite the darkness and finished while some lights gradually returned.

Photos from AP

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