With the United States looking to take three more points off of Cuba in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, Clemente Lisi outlines what it would take for the visitors to get a shock result at RFK Stadium on Saturday (7pm – ESPN Classic).
By Clemente Lisi
NEW YORK, NY (Oct 10, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- Being an unknown quantity and playing at home had given Cuba somewhat of an edge going into its much-hyped game against the US last month in Havana. What would the US do in mysterious circumstances, since trips to Cuba aren't normal routine even at National Team level.
Following the outcome (a 1-0 win for the US), whatever mystery that once-shrouded the Cubans is no more. The Cuban team, a mostly hapless bunch that only occasionally showed flashes of talent against the US, should be no threat to Bob Bradley’s squad when the two sides meet Saturday at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC.
The US may be the regional Goliath, but Cuba is no David.
When the US took on Cuba last month in Havana, trying to predict the outcome – or even how talented the players from the island nation were – was largely based on guesswork and on the few games the Cubans had played over the past two years. At RFK, the Cubans will have to put together the performance of their lives if they hope to even get a point.
With a win, the US, who has nine points after three matches, would clinch a berth to next year’s final round of regional qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Cuba, who is winless after three games, has only a remote chance of edging out Guatemala or Trinidad & Tobago for the group’s final spot.
The US was in the same situation the last time they played in Washington, DC, in October 2004. Needing a win to wrap up its semifinal-round group during 2006 World Cup qualifying, the Americans steamrolled Panama, 6-0.
History could repeat itself at the same stadium against Cuba. Although RFK has been the backdrop for some of the US’s biggest wins (Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay to name a few), in September 2001 they suffered a 3-2 loss to Honduras in front of 54,282, mostly Honduran, fans during 2002 World Cup qualifying. It’s hard to imagine the Cubans generating that kind of crowd or enthusiasm. Heck, defections among the Cuban team are more likely to occur this weekend.
No fewer than 12 Cuban players have defected to the US since 2002 with Chivas USA striker Maykel Galindo the most notable of the bunch. But Cuba isn’t completely devoid of forwards. Striker Roberto Linares, who scored in a 1-1 tie against the US during Olympic qualifying last March in Tampa, has the skill to cut through defenders and midfielder Jensy Munoz is another player Bradley’s men need to keep an eye on.
The September 6th game against Cuba was plagued by thunderstorms, a wet field and tall grass, causing players on both sides to often lose their footing. The US suffered most because they were unable to display their crisp passing abilities, while the swampy field allowed the Cubans more of an opportunity to break down plays. It was because of the slippery field that central defender Carlos Fernandez misplayed the ball while trying to clear it. That allowed the US to grab possession and gave Clint Dempsey the chance to score his 12th goal in 44 appearances.
Goalkeeper Odelin Molina did a solid job keeping his team in the game (with the complicity of the US’s at-times lethargic attacks), but will have to have another big game in order to keep his team’s hopes alive.
On defense, the defections of the past few years have had a big impact. The losses of Yenier Bermudez and Yendry Diaz, for example, have made a big difference, leaving a talent void that has not been filled by anyone since.
Doing more with limited options, Cuba coach Reinhold Fanz has opted for a 3-5-2 formation in the hopes of clogging the midfield and trying to stop opponents from entering its own half of the field. Of course, that doesn’t always work – as their record shows – and in response, the Cubans will try to use the flanks to move the ball.
Should the US score early, look for Fanz to go to his bench for reinforcements before the end of the first half. Although his options are limited given the shallow talent pool, players like midfielder Pedro Faife and striker Leonel Duarte did a decent job last time against the Americans. The inclusion of both players in the early part of the second half in Havana pumped a newfound energy and creativity into the team.
Much has been made over the past two months about how the US attack has struggled. Aside from the 8-0 rout of Barbados in June, the Americans haven’t really been lighting up the scoreboard. Against Cuba, the US’s biggest problem will be overcoming its own uncertainties. As a TV experience (as the last three US games have been for me), none were remotely entertaining. Bradley needs to ditch cookie-cutter tactics in favor of open play aimed at overpowering CONCACAF lightweights – such as Cuba – while at the same time keeping fans from changing the channel.
The US will have the home support and the knowledge that it is a far better squad than Cuba. The experience of playing the Cubans last month reacquainted the team with the unpredictable nature of the road schedule in regional World Cup qualifying. On Saturday, the Americans should again know what it feels like to steamroll a regional punching bag at home as it continues its run in CONCACAF Qualifying.
Clemente Lisi is the author of “A History of the World Cup: 1930-2006.” Contact him at: CAL4477@yahoo.com
