Roster USA vs CUBA - TalkSoccer

**Frank Cunha** · 28-08-2008, 10:31 PM

**Frank Cunha** · 03-09-2008, 07:50 PM

Donovan Warns Against Naiveté
2008-09-03 17:27:26

With the spectacle of their first match in Cuba in over 60 years looming on Saturday, U.S. star Landon Donovan says he just hopes the team took a lesson or two from their last CONCACAF World Cup qualifying away game.

The 'Nats kicked off semifinal round play with a slim, if not fortuitous, 1-0 win at Guatemala.

"We still have to learn how to play in these games," Donovan told Sports Illustrated. "You could tell we were naïve against Guatemala because we had a lot of young players on the field."

"The good thing is we got that experience and we won."

The Americans looked in dire straits in Guatemala when Steve Cherundolo was sent off with a second yellow, but rallied on a set piece goal by Carlos Bocanegra.

Donovan believes the visitors have to keep their challenges and their emotions in check when battling for CONCACAF's World Cup berths.

"Even with Steve, someone who's as experienced as anyone out there, you can still make two dumb plays and the refs are waiting to throw you out," he stated. "So we've got to get better at that."

**Frank Cunha** · 06-09-2008, 04:32 AM

61 yrs since USA last played Cuba in Cuba
Historic Showdown on Tap - AOL Sports

Benfica7 · 06-09-2008, 11:18 PM

USA--Cuba Starting Line-up
--------------Howard------------------
Hejduk------Onyewu-----Bocanegra (c)-------Pearce
-----Bradley-------Edu-----------
Dempsey------------------Beasley----------
--------Donovan------Ching-----------

The available subs are: Brad Guzan, Ricardo Clark, Marvell Wynne, Eddie Lewis, Eddie Johnson, Danny Califf and Sacha Kljestan

**Frank Cunha** · 06-09-2008, 11:19 PM

THE UNKNOWN FANS
Who were those men behind those masks?

By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor

Havana -- Because of severe travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba, American soccer fans were few and far between at Saturday night's World Cup qualifying match.

If any were at the game, it was because they were on special business here or entered the country in violation of the U.S. goverment.

Three Americans did make it down, although they apparently did it illegally since their faces were masked by red, white and blue to hide their identities. They also had an American flag draped around their shoulders with a green Cuban hat with a mini-flag on it.

One American fan told reporters that he wanted to see the game and he was in the country on some business.

They posed for photos for the U.S. media before venturing to their seats.

One Cuban wearing a souvenir jersey from the 2002 World Cup who was wrapped in an American flag did not hide his loyalties, at least for this game.

"I think the USA is much better than Cuba," Manuel Diaz, who is known to his friends as Manguera.

Asked why was rooting for the U.S., Diaz replied, "I like very much sports," he said. "I came here to see the game. This is my opportunity to see very important athletes like Landon Donovan and Freddy Adu."

Diaz was told that Adu was not with the team, but he said it was no problem.

Was his three fans sitting behind him at Estadio Pedro Marrero mad at Diaz? "No problem," one said as all three friends shook their heads.

Beyond the game, Diaz said he had one wish.

"I wish I could see the next game with the USA, but I can't," he said.

The U.S.'s next game is Wednesday vs. Trinidad & Tobago in Bridgeview, Ill.

Yuri Zambrano, an amateur player who has a two-minute walk to the stadium, is a big fan of the Cuban National Team.

"If there is an important match, I usually come to see it," he said.

"In spite of the fact there are problems between the governments, there must be a friend atmosphere."

The only time the U.S. played here was in 1947, 5-0 and 5-2 losses.

"Some 60 years without playing a National Team match in Cuba, it is fantastic," he said.

**Frank Cunha** · 06-09-2008, 11:59 PM

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8pm LIVE ON ESPN CLASSIC

USA VS CUBA
this will be the first match by the USA in Cuba soil in the last 61 yrs