U.S. survives Cuban conditions

In a game that appeared on paper like it should be a rout for the U.S., the No. 28 ranked team in the world escaped Havana and the N. 92 ranked Cuban team with a 1-0 win in their World Cup qualifier Saturday night. Rather than being somewhat embarrassed by the score, the U.S. should be thankful for surviving the horrendous conditions and coming out with three points, two up on Trinidad and Tobago after they tied Guatemala 1-1.

Although it appeared that the U.S. could have waltzed into their qualifier with an inferior opponent and come out with an easy win, but the tenuous relationship with Cuba made the game highly anticipated and Cuba was primed to pull off an upset. The team has not traveled to Cuba for a game since 1947 and a travel embargo left the majority of U.S. fans unable to see the match live. Though a few did make it in, they had to obscure their faces in fear of being recognized by U.S. government officials.

Qualification in CONCACAF can typically be difficult on the away sides as crowds are quite hostile, the Cuban fans could not wreak as much havoc on the game as the weather and facility conditions could. A thunderstorm prior to kick-off left the field looking like yet another hurricane just rolled through and the stadium’s lighting was sub-par at best, leaving the game to be played in dark conditions. The game was momentarily delayed in the in 86th after the stadium went black. Once light partially returned, the U.S. hung on in the final minutes, thanks to a tremendous diving stop to his right by Tim Howard.

The darkened, rain-soaked, and gusty conditions could not stop an experienced U.S. squad on this night as they controlled the majority of the game after scoring their lone goal on a 12-yard rip from Clint Dempsy in the 40th minute.

They may have escaped this test, but the U.S. better look to sure some things up before returning home to take on Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday in Bridgeview, Ill. Head Coach Bob Bradley may be best advised to bring back all of his younger players from Europe (Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu were left off the roster) for the second half the semifinal round, which begins on October 11. Letting them stay to get acquainted with their new clubs is one thing, but when you’re trying to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, nothing should be left up to chance. The players need to gain valuable national team experience before South Africa and these stages are the perfect time.

As for Cuba, the U.S. will face them again on October 11 at RFK Stadium. It’s suspected that a number of their players could use this opportunity to defect from their homeland in search of professional careers. In March, seven members of the U-23 Cuban national team disappeared from the team while competing in Florida.