The U.S. national team beat Cuba 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Havana on Saturday.
Little was significant about the match other than it was the first time since 1947 that the U.S. senior team played in Cuba. Oh, and the Americans have six points have two away matches in the semifinals of qualifying.
One thing I have always liked about being a soccer fan is reading about places around the world.
Soccer America magazine has always had its reporter do a diary from wherever the U.S. team played abroad. The reporter gives a first-person report of the culture and experiences in a different land.
Here is Soccer America’s report on Cuba.
Washington Post reporter Steven Goff did his own scene-setter reports on his blog, which gave readers a rare inside look at Cuba. You don’t have to like soccer to read these items.
Greetings From La Habana
Cuba Libre
Havana nights
For U.S. Team, the Venue Is Mysterious, Not the Mission
Unlike most games in Latin America, the U.S. team did not face much of a hostile crowd in Cuba, mostly a friendly one. There were a few boos or whistles, but none of the throwing of items such as coins, bags of human waste, or stadium crumblings they face elsewhere.
The stadium was poorly lit. It looked like soccer games at old Pitt Stadium, before it had football lights. They would play games under the flood lights, and, even though the soccer lines were painted blue on green turf, you could tell when the ball went out because it had entered near darkness. Actually, I think Pitt Stadium's lighting was slightly better.
As for the game, the Americans didn’t play all that great (again) — although better than the Guatemala win.
I hate to say it, but are we headed for a big letdown in the final round of qualifying? This team does not look extraordinary.
The Americans have three of their final four games of the semifinal round at home, beginning Wednesday at 8 p.m. against Trinidad and Tobago (ESPN2).
sean.heilman@timesnews.com