U.S. Eyes Big Night In Match Vs. Cuba
Win Seals Advance, Gives Bench Action

By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 11, 2008

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.

Amends were made, to an extent, three years later when a 6-0 victory over Panama locked up a berth in the final round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

"It's a real cool atmosphere," goalkeeper Tim Howard, who performs regularly in England's landmark venues, said of RFK. "The fans jump up and down and the stand bounces like a mattress. It's a cool setting, a special setting."

The match will serve as a homecoming for Onyewu, who is from Olney and plays professionally in Belgium; for former D.C. United players Freddy Adu and Troy Perkins; for former Maryland Terrapins Maurice Edu and Danny Califf; for U.S. Coach Bradley, a onetime United assistant; and for former D.C. head coach and current U.S. assistant Peter Nowak.

Onyewu expects around 100 family and friends to be in attendance.

While Onyewu, Howard, Donovan and many other veterans are expected to start, a collection of young players are awaiting their turn. If the match turns in the U.S. team's favor, Bradley might introduce José Francisco Torres, a 20-year-old Mexican-American who committed to the U.S. program last week after resisting overtures from Mexico. Adu, 19, and Edu, 22, could also receive playing time -- if not tonight then Wednesday when the U.S. team's passage is already secure.

"The opportunity to get players experience, not only in camps but in games, for sure, is important," Bradley said. "First things first. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but certainly the thought process of using games now to move some other things along is there."

U.S. Notes: Jay DeMerit, an England-based defender, did not train all week because of a hamstring injury and will not be in uniform. Four others will be scratched before kickoff. . . . Cuban starting forward Roberto Linares received a red card in the previous game and is out. . . . Ticket sales were approaching 18,000 last night. . . . The field has been lengthened by two yards, to 110, to meet international standards. The width (75 yards) is the same.