United States Dominates Cuba

United States 6, Cuba 1

Unlike a dour affair in Cuba last month, the United States dominated this World Cup qualifier from the opening whistle. Though a brief hiccup allowed Cuba to half the lead, a strong second half showed a killer instinct the team has lacked in previous matches.

With two match days left in their semifinal group, Bob Bradley can give experience to young players, like Jose Torres who was brought on in the second half, ending speculation on whether he would play internationally for the United States or Mexico.


First Half

The U.S. came out strong as Cuba appeared content to pass to Landon Donovan as much as their own players. Twice in the opening six minutes the Galaxy forward stole poor passes, but neither Clint Dempsey nor Michael Bradley could finish their chance.

DaMarcus Beasley opened the scoring six minutes later. Kljestan picked up loose ball off header by Cuba and threaded a perfectly weighted pass to send Beasley in, where he easily beat keeper to far post.

The United States continued to dominate possession, aided by the lack of quality in the Cuban passes. Clint Dempsey had a chance on 22 minutes, but sent his shot high while an opportunity thanks to Bradley’s steal moments later was stifled by too many passes.

Beasley doubled the lead on the half-hour mark with another clinical finish. Following another poor clearance by a Cuban defender taken down by Dempsey, who quickly found Donovan. The Galaxy midfielder’s cross soared over the backline to Beasely, who beat the offsides trap, chested down and clinically beat the keeper

Quickly Cuba answered as the U.S. defense was unable to clear Cuba’s deepest possession to that point. The ball fell to Jenzy Munoz, who quickly turned and hit a dipping volley that went over Tim Howard’s outstretched hand, skimmed the underside of the crossbar, and cut the U.S. lead in half.

The game was turned in the 41st minute as a Cuban defender was sent off, leaving the island nation’s team shorthanded. Yoel Colome was shown his second yellow for a tactical foul on Donovan, his first for a late challenge on Beasley.

A third goal was almost had in the dying minutes of the first half. Beasley this time stole a pass and gave the advantage to Donovan. He rounded the keeper, but found himself with an acute angle and, instead of looking to a teammate in the center of the box, attempted to chip the lone defender, but used the wrong side of his foot.


Second Half

Quickly out of the gates the U.S. pushed the lead back to two. After working the ball around, Heath Pearce was found on the left wing and quickly whipped in a low cross through the six-yard box where it found its way through several players to Donovan easily tapped in his all-time best 37th goal for the U.S.

Moments later the Americans had another chance as Donovan found Beasley alone on the left wing. However, unlike his precise finishing in the first half, the Rangers midfielder skied a shot that may just as well have been an errant cross to the back post.

The U.S. threatened again in the 55th minute as Donovan again was the playmaker. This time his cross from the right wing found a wide-open Dempsey, but Molina was up to the task and tipped the point blank header over the bar.

Three minutes later Donovan found Beasley wide open after picking up a loose ball at the top of the area. Again, though, Beasley was unable to finish the play as he had in the first half. Two corner kicks later, Carlos Bocanegra skied over everyone to get his head on the ball, but sent it wide.

Finally the U.S. put the apparent final nail in the coffin. DaMarcus Beasley sent a free kick beyond the back post where Kljestan headed it back across the face of the goal. A trio of U.S. players was there unmarked to finish the play and Brian Ching claimed the goal.

With the game no longer in doubt, U.S. head coach Bob Bradley took another question off the table. In the 68th minute Torres was brought in for Heath Pearce, officially cap-tying the youngster to U.S. soccer and ending any chance he would play for Mexico.

Jozy Altidore, who came on at the same time as Torres, had the next chance for the Americans three minutes later. Donovan sent the Villarreal forward in and after doing well to shield away the defender, Altidore’s last touch let him down as his shot was directed right at the goalkeeper.

With fourteen minutes left, Bradley made another fan-friendly substitution. Freddy Adu came on to thunderous applause at his old home field for Kljestan, who deserved the cheers as much as the former D.C. United attacker.

Torres nearly made his impression felt ten minutes from time. The Pachuca midfielder lined up an adventurous left footer from thirty yards, but sailed the shot high over the net.

Altidore scored his second international goal two minutes later as Dempsey sent him behind the Cuban back line with a perfect through pass. Altidore turned Carlos Domingo the wrong way and this time beat Molina to his near post.

The final feel good moment of the night came in the final minute as Oguchi Onyewu scored in front friends and family from his nearby hometown. Adu took on his defender on the left wing and crossed to the center where “Gooch” flew through air to head home his fifth international goal.

-- Goal.com

It was a really entertaining game.
the player that impressed me the most was Sasha Kljestan. he has really grown as a footballer.

I couldnt agree with you more. He is very good player. We have some good young midfielders. If Sasha continues to grow as a player he will be a fantastic midfielder. I really like the future of our midfield with Sasha, Adu (probably will play more of a cf or cam), Edu, Bradley and Donovan and Beasley still have some very good years left.

The spot I really question for us is up front. We played friendlies against many top countries over the past year and we hung with them all. To me it just seemed that we didnt have a striker that we could count on. I think Altidore will be a very good striker but hes still very young. Him playing at villareal will only make him better.

I do think we are improving greatly. I cant wait for 2010 as I think we will open up some eyes.