USA vs. Cuba (Your Running Commentary)
The U.S. men's national team will look to take a step closer to qualifying for the CONCACAF Hexagonal tonight when it takes on Cuba in a World Cup qualifier in Havana (ESPN Classic, 8pm).
The Americans come into the match 1-0 in the four-team group after opening group play with a 1-0 victory at Guatemala. Cuba enters 0-1 after losing at home to Trinidad & Tobago.
For some very interesting insight into tonight's match, check out the Men's national team blog.
Interesting to note that the game is expected to be played in temperatures surpassing 90 degrees. Between that and the long and bumpy grass field in Havana, the match isn't likely to be a free-flowing thing of beauty.
If you will be watching tonight's match please feel free to make this your place to discuss the action. Share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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USA--Cuba Starting Line-up (From ussoccer.com)
--------------Howard------------------
Hejduk----Onyewu---Bocanegra(c)-------Pearce
--------Bradley-------Edu-----------
Dempsey------------------Beasley----------
--------Donovan------Ching-----------
Posted by: eric from tucson | September 06, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Yay, no EJ! Yay Edu with the start!
Posted by: eric from tucson | September 06, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Thanks Ives... Hurricane Ike is headed your way... Hope you get out ok...
Posted by: ag nigrin | September 06, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Donovan up top! Orozco in the stands!
Posted by: eric from tucson | September 06, 2008 at 07:22 PM
I think Ives is in Chicago...so its pretty safe to assume he won't be troubled by Ike.
Posted by: KC | September 06, 2008 at 07:36 PM
the EJ hateration on this blog is juvenile and tiresome.Let's be happy for the guys on the pitch. Go Nats!
Posted by: Andrew in Tampa | September 06, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Bradley bags a brace. You read it here first.
Posted by: William | September 06, 2008 at 07:49 PM
i like the move of dempsey out wide and donovan up top. Good to see beasley back
Posted by: patrick | September 06, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Anybody have a link to watch this? I don't get espn360
Posted by: Matt | September 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Yeah I forgot Ives was on the Cuban hit list!
Posted by: ag nigrin | September 06, 2008 at 07:51 PM
try www.justin.tv
Posted by: ag nigrin | September 06, 2008 at 07:55 PM
The men's national team blog mentions that there has been a blackout at the stadium. Hopefully they got things fixed...
Posted by: dcpohl | September 06, 2008 at 07:56 PM
anyone have live feeds? I apparently don't have ESPN classic anymore
Posted by: metrostar 4 life | September 06, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Whoa...Brazil's in our group?
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:02 PM
lovely. Another dimly lit stadium, this time in a downpour. Query, if Cuba offered the US a 0-0 draw, and we could just walk away and not have to play the game, does BB/you take it?
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:05 PM
thanks, justin.tv works great
Posted by: Matt | September 06, 2008 at 08:07 PM
I thought it would be on espn360.com ???
Posted by: MiamiAl | September 06, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Matt, could you post the link please
Posted by: metrostar 4 life | September 06, 2008 at 08:07 PM
I can't find it on justin.tv--I don't get espn360
Posted by: koriordan | September 06, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Interesting question...personally, I wouldn't be satisfied walking out with a 0-0 result.
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I wonder if the government is noticing those US fans that (likely) illegaly made hte trip to Cuba.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:10 PM
never mind I found it
http://www.justin.tv/cramex
Posted by: metrostar 4 life | September 06, 2008 at 08:10 PM
never mind I found it,
http://www.justin.tv/cramex
Posted by: metrostar 4 life | September 06, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Is that link in English? I've got a Spanish stream at http://www.justin.tv/psn_2
Posted by: eric | September 06, 2008 at 08:14 PM
its not on espn 360?
Posted by: luis | September 06, 2008 at 08:18 PM
I hate Hejduk...but he's playing pretty well.
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:19 PM
us players don't sing the national anthem? is it against the law or something?
Posted by: rob | September 06, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Its on ESPN360 for me. You just have to search for the link through a see of football games. You definitely need to narrow the search to soccer.
Posted by: JB | September 06, 2008 at 08:21 PM
JP said Cubans paid the equivalent of 4 cents for tickets. They should have charged 8 and installed proper lighting. Gotta love socialism.
Posted by: Peter | September 06, 2008 at 08:22 PM
I thought the 4 cents comment was in reference to the orioles-cuban all-stars game several years ago.
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:24 PM
good run by Dempsey but you wonder if his final touch would be better if he actually was getting playing time. Maybe Beasley's issue as well.
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Fh has not business playing for the Nats anymore. Sorry, just the truth.
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:25 PM
My god - Clint Dempsey at a full run! Feels like nearly a full year since we've seen all out effort from him.
Posted by: eric | September 06, 2008 at 08:25 PM
justin.tv stream is SO choppy! I might just have to catch the highlights!
Posted by: Joel | September 06, 2008 at 08:28 PM
There have been some disgusting dives by the Cubans and some blatant fouls that are just getting ignored (the two legged lunge into Beasley), I know it is par for the course in CONCACAF, but it make the federation look like a mickey mouse organization...
Posted by: Chase | September 06, 2008 at 08:30 PM
If it's 90 degrees and wet, Im wondering why Howard is wearing long pants.
Posted by: Fireball | September 06, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Hedjukis doing wee and seems to be the only one not giving the ball away
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:32 PM
There's the "Frankie Step-Over"..
Posted by: MiamiAl | September 06, 2008 at 08:34 PM
ugh...Beasleys service...we don't have someone who can put it in from the right?
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Lighting not nearly as bad as Guatemala. The penalty areas are actually lit at all which is an improvement.
Posted by: JB | September 06, 2008 at 08:37 PM
So THAT'S what a soccer game without ad-boards looks like.
Posted by: DemonJuice | September 06, 2008 at 08:37 PM
We might lose this match... UGLY
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:38 PM
all the action on the right side - like the Guatemala game
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:38 PM
well at least we are maintaining possession in this game. can we also proclaim the Donovan at RM experiment over?
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:39 PM
AH YES.... CHING.... ahem Cooper
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Beasley is not doing it for me...
Posted by: MiamiAl | September 06, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Why didn't Ching just one time it??? Horrible...
Posted by: Chase | September 06, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Sigh. What a real forward could've done with that...
Let's go US!!!
Posted by: eric | September 06, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Wow the JTV stream is baaaaaaaaaaad. oh well. USA doing decent.
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Ching! He only scores with his head - why didn't he go for it there?
Posted by: Joe Quake | September 06, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Jesue Demps... no wonder Roy is not giving you time @ Fulham
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:40 PM
goof by Ching. But what was that pass from Dempsey?
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:41 PM
News flash...Brian Ching blows!
Posted by: Andrew | September 06, 2008 at 08:41 PM
EDU! QUIT GIVING THE BALL AWAY!
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Supreme vaginitis from the Yanks
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:42 PM
We look like the Nats from 1987 playing the 4th string Soviet team on an old high shcool football field.
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Dempsey looks like crap. again.
Posted by: Willis | September 06, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Dempsey has not been doing it for me either...Deuce has been a ghost in the last year.
Posted by: MiamiAl | September 06, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Dempsey is clearly not in form however, putting him on the right has been more effective than up front. He has been creating more chances than in other games.
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Who's the most likely candidate to score today?
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Edu and Bradley are too slow in getting rid of the ball and their linking is just average. Adu needs to play with one or the other to speed our transition into the attack.
Posted by: Andrew | September 06, 2008 at 08:44 PM
the field is horrible.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:45 PM
nice one gooch
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Donovan is far and away our best player on the field now.
Half time sub -- Bradley or Edu for Kleijstan.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Issac - I vote Gouch on a set piece
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Who had 37th minutes for Bradley yellow?
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Donovan is far and away our best player on the field now.
Half time sub -- Bradley or Edu for Kleijstan.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Bradley is a red card waiting to happen. Hope he can learn from his past mistakes.
Posted by: Joe Hoyt | September 06, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Nice theatrics from the Cuban there to get the Bradley yellow...
Posted by: Chase | September 06, 2008 at 08:47 PM
what the heck was bradley thinking there?
Posted by: nicole | September 06, 2008 at 08:47 PM
HAHAHA, Michael...seriously... try to go a game without a yellow.
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:47 PM
anyone who the score between mexico and honduras?
Posted by: supsam | September 06, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Bradley stop murdering people
Posted by: PCFC | September 06, 2008 at 08:48 PM
I think if USA gets a set piece we'll score too. If we bring on Kljestan we'll have MUCH more creativity in the central midfield.
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:48 PM
wow...I've never seen a ball bounce quite like this
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:49 PM
"Dempsey sucks! Dempsey is worthless!!"
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Merry Christmas Duece....
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
There you Clint. Nice.
Posted by: Pat the Red Bulls Fan | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
CHING (NOT COOPER) TO DEMSPEY.
Back off Ching haters.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
DEMPSEY!~!!!!! YES!!!!!
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Deuce
Posted by: Andrew | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Even with the goal, Deuce doesn't look that great. Glad he scored though - that should open up the game.
Posted by: Joe Quake | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
All of the anti-posts are pretty funny now...nice finish though from Deuce, we need to build on this...
Posted by: Chase | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
what now dempsey and ching haters
Posted by: supsam | September 06, 2008 at 08:51 PM
nice play Onyewu.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Dempsey has been a lot better than Beasley - absolutetly nothing happening on the left.
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Personally, my problem isn't with Ching...it's with EJ. Apparently he owns a spot on the USA roster...
Posted by: Mike Caramba | September 06, 2008 at 08:52 PM
What do I know...
Posted by: MiamiAl | September 06, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Chase,
I stand by my post on Ching. He sucks, and so does Eddie Johnson. Our center striker pecking order should be Jozy, Kenny Cooper and then Taylor Twellman.
Posted by: Andrew | September 06, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Hey guys canada scored.
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Gooch playing fantastic. The whole midfield SUCKS! Edu and Beasley need to sit!Donovan not much better. Bradley is sucking. Lucky bounce but nice finish by Dempsey, who at least is showing some flashes.
Posted by: hincha tim | September 06, 2008 at 08:53 PM
ummm.. why is the grass so long????
No one disagrees with EJ not deserving a spot.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Andrew I agree except for twellman. i think he's doing ok but lets wait a while.
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Bradley's game plan is assenine. Why is the US only starting to pressure at the half field line. Pressure the Cuban defenders and force them to make a move or pass. They're not Spain!!!!
Posted by: hincha tim | September 06, 2008 at 08:55 PM
nice play on the right but Beasley gives it away. @hincha, are you serious about Donovan? he's everywhere.
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:56 PM
so if some one were to give player ratings for the first half... what would they be?
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Michael Bradley has to sit the Trinidad game on Wednesday due to yellow card accumulation.
Posted by: JB | September 06, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Donovan - 8
Dempsey - 8
Ching - 7
Beasley - 4
Bradley - 4
Edu - 4
Hejduk - 6
Gooch - 8
Boca - 6
Peirce - 5
Posted by: jmac | September 06, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Isaac: Give them 5s with 4 to Pearce and Beasley and 6 to Gouch, Dempsey, Hejduk
Posted by: beckster | September 06, 2008 at 08:59 PM
So if BRadley's out for the T and T match, who do you think will go there? If pablo's not healthy and bradley doesnt like Kljestan, then Adu is a likely choice.
Posted by: ISaac | September 06, 2008 at 08:59 PM