U.S. Eyes Big Night In Match Vs. Cuba

Win Seals Advance, Gives Bench Action

The U.S. national soccer team's primary objective tonight against Cuba at RFK Stadium is to clinch a berth in the final stage of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Americans have flexed their regional muscle in the first three semifinal-round matches, winning each by shutout to move to the brink of a widely anticipated slot in next year's six-team final group.

But there are secondary motives, as well.

Advancement would render the final two games inconsequential and allow Coach Bob Bradley to send many of his regulars back to their clubs, a goodwill gesture that could be reciprocated in the future. MLS teams, in the stretch run of the regular season and lacking the time off that European leagues afford their clubs during World Cup qualifying periods, would be particularly appreciative.

A victory also would provide Bradley with a rare opportunity to test inexperienced players in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday and against Guatemala next month in Denver.

"We put ourselves in a great position and now we have got to finish it off," forward Landon Donovan said yesterday. "In theory, we have done most of the hard work. We're left with a little bit more."

While the Americans were acutely focused on the match, Cuba was again reeling from the apparent defection of players. Reynier Alcántara and Pedro Faife left the team's hotel in Crystal City in the past two days and their whereabouts are unknown, said Reinhold Fanz, Cuba's German coach.

Like in politics, the United States and Cuba are on opposite sides of the soccer spectrum. The Americans are seeking their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, while Cuba, where soccer is far behind baseball in popularity and government resources, has not participated in the quadrennial tournament since 1938.

However, in the first game between the teams on Sept. 6 in Havana, the Cubans put up a good fight in a 1-0 loss, the second of three defeats in group play. Cuba will probably need to win its final three games to advance.

Nonetheless, "We are very motivated," Cuba soccer federation president Luis Hernández said. "You will see."

Explaining the difficulties in the first encounter, U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu said rain and poor field conditions were an issue. But also, "you have to take into consideration their excitement and enthusiasm and trying to get a win against America," he said. "You put all those factors together, it's going to cause a hectic first 30 minutes of the game."

Clint Dempsey's goal late in the first half and Tim Howard's reflex save in the final moments secured the victory in the Americans' first match in Cuba in 61 years. Four days later, they routed Trinidad and Tobago, 3-0, for a program-record sixth consecutive shutout.

Playing in Washington for the first time in four years has stirred mixed memories for the U.S. team. RFK was the site of the Americans' last home loss to an opponent from CONCACAF, the region encompassing North and Central America and the Caribbean. In September 2001, in the final round of qualifying, they were beaten by Honduras, 3-2.