Good evening folks. Tonight is the night the U.S. men’s national team can clinch its place in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying by beating Cuba at RFK Stadium tonigh (7pm, ESPN Classic/Galavision).
The Cubans have yet to win a match and come into this match missing two players who have disappeared and have defected. To call the Cubans a severe underdog is an understatement.
The crowd of American fans outside RFK Stadium is a lively one, though I’m not sure we will have much more than 20,000 for tonight’s match.
I will be providing commentary on the match throughout the night so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions on the match in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match (lineups after the jump):
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FINAL- That’s all for now folks. I will be writing some stories for ESPN.come tonight, but will try to check back in with some more thoughts tonight. Please feel free to share your post-game thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Thanks for following along and good night.
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FINAL- USA 6, Cuba 1. Total domination by the Americans, and a very intriguing lineup to finish the game, a lineup with a lot of promise.
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90th minute– Torres has looked VERY good so far tonight.
Michael Bradley with a yellow card.
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90th minute– Freddy Adu with the perfect cross on that goal, finding Onyewu for the easy header.
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89th minute- GOAL USA!!!!!!! And it’s Oguch Onyewu with the header finish to make it 6-1.
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87th minute- GOAL USA!!!! And it’s Jozy Altidore with the finish. USA 5, Cuba 1.
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87th minute– Michael Bradley called for a questionable foul and barely avoids a yellow after complaining about it.
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85th minute– Freddy on the ball, tries a long pass to Altidore but it doesn’t quite work.
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80th minute– Count me among the people who never thought he’d see that group of players together on the field in 2008. It’s an exciting group and I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to see that group play together in the final two qualifiers this year.
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78th minute– This is what we’re seeing now with Adu in the game:
———————–Altidore————————
————–Donovan————Adu—————–
——–Torres———Bradley——–Dempsey——-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu——-Cherundolo
———————–Howard————————–
Now that is an attacking formation. Could that be the starting lineup for World Cup 2010?
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76th minute– Freddy Adu has come in for Sacha Kljestan. There are some USA fans in tears right now.
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75th minute– This is what we’re seeing from the USA formation:
————Altidore———Dempsey————–
———————-Donovan————Kljestan
———–Torres————Bradley—————-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu——-Cherundolo
———————–Howard————————–
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73rd minute– I recall Bob Bradley using this 4-4-2 with no left winger with the MetroStars. If you recall, France used this system in the 1998 World Cup. Could this be the next step in the US national team’s evolution, with Beasley as a marauding left back?
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71st minute– ALTIDORE with a nice run at goal but has his shot saved.
The USA is playing a 4-4-2 right now with no left winger, and three central midfielders. Beasley has the left wing to himself, with Torres floating wide on occasion.
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69th minute– Torres is in central midfield right now. Looks like Beasley is at left back.
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68th minute– Big Soccer posters are in heaven right now. Altidore and Torres in for Pearce and Ching.
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67th minute– Jose Francisco Torres and Jozy Altidore are coming into the match.
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66th minute– It’s 4-1, time for some subs Bob.
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65th minute– Now, I’m not just saying this because of my recent SBI piece on him, but Ching has had a game tonight. He forced the turnover that led to Beasley’s first goal, set up the USA third goal and scored the fourth. Not bad for a ‘stiff’.
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64th minute– Kljestan gets the assist for heading that one into the mixer. Any one of three players could have put that one home but Ching got his head on it.
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63rd minute- GOAL USA!!! Ching with the header!!!
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61st minute– Bocanegra’s header goes wide. The Americans look likely to add a fourth pretty soon. Will we see a sub before then?
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59th minute– USA is knocking on the door.
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57th minute– Tonight’s attendance: 20,293
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56th minute– Dempsey’s free header SAVED!!
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52nd minute– You can tell that Bob Bradley sent the message at halftime that the passing needs to be sharper and simple and the goals will come. Much better passing early on.
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50th minute– This is "go for the jugular time" Can the Americans show the killer instinct?
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49th minute– Pearce with the assist on an absolute clinic of a sequence. Seven-pass sequence on that goal. A thing of beauty.
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47th minute- GOAL USA!!! Landon Donovan with the finish on a BEAUTIFUL passing sequence.
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46th minute– And we’re off. No subs for the USA.
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HALFTIME– What subs might we see at the half? That’s a tough call. Beasley is playing so well that I can’t see him making way for Torres, although you could see Dempsey go up top, Beasley move to the right and Torres come in.
Now, if the Americans open up a multi-goal lead, I’m sure we will see Torres come in. I would put in Altidore for Ching at some point. I also don’t think we will see Adu and Torres on the field together so it will be interesting to see if Adu is left on the bench.
I think we could also see Maurice Edu come in for Michael Bradley, who has had a subpar performance. He has committed some bad turnovers and his failed attempt at dispossessing Munoz led to Cuba’s goal, but he has also broken up countless Cuban sequences and has put himself in position for a few very good looks at goal.
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HALFTIME– USA 2, Cuba 1. The Americans will go in a bit disappointed to only lead by a goal. They created a ton of chances, but just couldn’t finish most of them. Then there was that fluky goal by the Cubans to make things interesting. It will be very interesting to see what substitutions Bob Bradley makes at halftime. Jozy Altidore for Brian Ching is likely to happen at some point. Not sure if it will happen at halftime.
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45th minute– You have to give credit to the Cubans for holding it together this long. the US team needs to do better with its possession and chances.
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44th minute– Donovan gets behind the Cuba goalkeeper and tries a weird scuff shot on the super tight angle and missed badly. He must be terrible at pool.
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43rd minute– If the Americans were dominating play and creating chances BEFORE, you have to like their chances to blow this one open with a man advantage.
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42nd minute– RED CARD for Yoel Colome, who got a second yellow for a late challenge on Donovan. Silly foul.
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40th minute– The Americans need to find that third goal because things are a bit too close for comfort.
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38th minute– Michael Bradley with another clear look at goal but has his shot saved by the Cuban goalkeeper. Good understanding between Donovan and Bradley for another chance created.
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31st minute- GOAL CUBA!!!! A fluky chip over Howard by Jenzy Munoz. WOW.
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30th minute- GOAL USA!!! And it’s Beasley, beating the offside trap to finish from close range.
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26th minute– Beasley is playing like the Beasley of old tonight (except for that last pass attempt. Also, the Cubans are starting to get chippy.
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24th minute– Hey, it’s Tim Howard, Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra getting some touches. I almost forgot they were here tonight.
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23rd minute– A good free kick opportunity for the americans yields nothing.
A Bradley goal is ruled offside right after.
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21st minute– Beasley takes a knock after studs to the right foot from Yoel Colome, who got a yellow card for his trouble.
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18th minute– Americans controlling things right now, with the Cubans having few chances with the ball.
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12th minute– Ching goes wide with a header.
Apologies for the delay before the goal. Had some technical difficulties.
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11th minute– Here comes the Americans.
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10th minute- GOAL USA!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it’s Beasley with a beautiful shot off a perfect pass from Kljestan.
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6th minute– Bradley misses badly on a clear shot at goal from 18 yards out, set up by a nice pass from Donovan. Bradley showing some rust there. He hasn’t played in a few weeks.
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4th minute– Dempsey shoots right into the Cuban keeper’s stomach after a great pass from Donovan to spring him.
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3rd minute– Bradley with a bad turnover but he gets back to clean up the mess.
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1st minute– We’re under way.
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PRE-GAME– Look for Donovan to have a lot of freedom in the attack tonight, with Ching up top in a 4-2-3-1.
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PRE-GAME– I’m going to go with a 4-0 prediction. USA 4, Cuba 0.
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PRE-GAME– The anthems are over and we’re ready for some action.
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PRE-GAME– Looking at the USA bench, I can’t help but wonder how many of those players will be key figures on the 2010 World Cup team. Altidore, Adu, Torres, Edu. Not a bad group of youngsters.
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PRE-GAME– Getting back to the big presence of fans here from outside DC, it was impressive to see most of the USA fans wearing only USA gear and not wearing MLS club affiliations.
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PRE-GAME– No surprises in the USA lineup. It should be interesting to see the Kljestan-Bradley tandem in central midfield again. I’m also expecting good nights from Ching and Donovan (and yes, I know, everybody should have a good game tonight. I’m just sayin.)
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PRE-GAME– Sam’s Army has just unfurled the huge "Don’t Treat on Me" flag. Very impressive.
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PRE-GAME– Having spent time at the pre-game tailgate I can tell you that quite a few USA fans have traveled from good distances. This match almost has a feel of a power summit like the one at the start of the classic movie, ‘The Warriors’. The Philadelphia fans are here in force while New York/New Jersey is also well represented.
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PRE-GAME– Those wondering about Danny Szetela, it looks as though the groin injury he was dealing with cost him a chance to play today.
Call it a Freudian slip of sorts but the official lineup sheet handed out for the match listed the following player on the USA bench: Jose Fernando Torres.
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PRE-GAME– You have to feel for the Cuban team. Short-handed and woefully overmatched. And, to top it off, they’re wearing jerseys that look like they were borrowed from the Kansas City Wizards youth academy.
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PRE-GAME– Okay, I’m going to have to confess. I crushed the Screaming Eagles-sponsored pre-game tailgate. I think I’m going to need a nap. And no, I didn’t have any alcohol.
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PRE-GAME– The early winner of ‘Best Sign’ goes to this very simple yet telling sign that says the following:
TORRES > CASTILLO
That, my friends, is classic.
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PRE-GAME– I don’t know if the DJ at this game is trying to be funny but the song being played right now on the PA is Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’. Somewhere, Cubans are not laughing at that joke.
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PRE-GAME– Here is the Cuba lineup:
———————Jenzy Munoz——-Leonel Duarte————————–
Yoel Colome———Luis Villegas—Alain Cervantes——-Jaime Colome
Silvio Minoso—-Yeniel Marquez—Jose Luis Clavelo—Reysander Fernandez
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PRE-GAME– Here is the USA lineup:
———————Ching——————–
Beasley———–Donovan——-Dempsey
————Kljestan—–Bradley————
Pearce–Bocanegra—-Onyewu—-Cherundolo
——————-Howard———————
BENCH– Brad Guzan, Frankie Hejduk, Jose Francisco Torres, Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu, Danny Califf, Freddy Adu.
Good one, World football book….looking forward to the final two qualifying matches, and I hope Bradley keeps the young guys on the roster for both. We’ll see how they do, and I hope they light up the place.
BUT, I don’t think Ching gets enough credit from some of you. That’s all I’m saying. And, oh, yeah, it’s pabulum, not pablum. My bad.
Ok Ives,
I get it, I deserved that one for calling CHING a “STIFF”. But dude come on, you know he is not very athletic (same for Cooper). I rather see guys that have creativity and are a handful for Defenders. I can tell you this, Ching won’t put any fear into any National Teams Defense. Now Altidore will have the attention of any defender, well almost any. He is after all only 18 and still unknow in some places. But just give it time.
I don’t remember seeing Ching for long stretches at a time last night. Sure he’d receive a pass and move it along, but that’s the most you’d see of him. I think giving him credit for that goal is giving him a little too much. That ball certainly was going in without him poaching it from Sacha.
The back situation does not look to bad with BMD, Guch, Boca, Chewie. I would drop Chewie in favor of Wynne. Did anyone see him play yesterday? He can get out the back like no other and is strong.
Lets hope that for the T& T game Chad Marshall and Robbie Rogers and Cooper all get calls up and caps. They certainly have been instrumental with their respective teams. Indeed, I would love to see a Altidore, Adu, Donovan, Rogers Cooper offensive group.
you Ching bashers are crazy. You just don’t get it. Go eat some pablum, and don’t forget your blankies….
Posted by: smokeminside | October 12, 2008 at 06:21 AM
Keep smoken em, Ching is a second tier striker in a subpar league. Not saying he’s not trying, he’s just not talented enough beyond CONCACAF qualifying. Let’s see him matched up against the best defenders on the planet – which is the idea of the World Cup – and we’d be calling him the invisible man. Ask Donovan what it was like in 2006 against Cannavaro and Materazzi – not only did he go blank, but he ran back home to the USA like a bitch once he lost his confidence.
you Ching bashers are crazy. You just don’t get it. Go eat some pablum, and don’t forget your blankies….
Just got back to Jersey from the game lots of noise for the boys. My voice has come back to me
Jacob, I am also reprehensive about the fact that Cuba provided less than maximal opposition for our young players tonight. However, I am optimalistic about the potentialities of our younger players to accumentalize into full contributationers in time for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
I think that’s looking more down the road than tomorrow, when guys like Torres and Bradley have matured and grown into those types of roads.
Fun game to watch, exciting to get younger guys chances in the next couple of games, but I’ll be slightly reprehensive due to the whole Cuba with ten men deal.
Not a bad night to be me: USA 6-1 over Cuba with the young guys looking solid, Florida beating up on LSU 51-21 with the Swamp at full force, and Jamaica taking points from Mexico…
I can sleep well tonight…
With Ives, I am enjoying imagining a future that looks like this:
———————–Altidore————————
————–Donovan————-Adu—————–
——–Torres———Bradley——–Dempsey——-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu——-Cherundolo
———————–Howard————————–
Are you people delusional? Do you think you’re AC Milan with the Ancelotti formation? It works for them because they have players like Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka, Pato and Ronaldinho. Seriously! Now name one international squad of any note that approaches a game with this kind of formation? Not even Italy, Brazil and Argentina are that stupid. Beasley does belong on the deep left flank because of his range, but having Torres appear suddenly in a Starting XI after one game is sheer comedy. If you think Bradley can play the Pirlo/Seedorf role perhaps he could actually get a start at Monchengladbach before we elevate him to Italian club standards? There is no club in modern international football that uses anything but a 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 against the money teams. Like everyone, I want this team to perform to its level, but the first step is canning the current coaching staff before they let another one like Subotic or Ibisevic get away.
I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone mention how solid Pearce looked up the left flank tonight. As far as I’m concerned, left back is his to lose.
I loved the Torres > Castillo banner.
Amazing if anyone gets excited about pounding a 10 man Cuban squad looking for a cab to the nearest consulate. All Bob Bradley has done is prove that he’s as dumb as Bruce Arena with that atrocious 4-5-1 formation. Brian Ching? Are you kidding me? Anyone with a clue about international football knows that if the US doesn’t solve its congested midfield and easy turnovers and its lack of talent on the deep flanks … they’ll qualify for sure (duh!), but they won’t get out of the group stage in 2010 if they draw any African team of note. At least they’ve got a prospect in Torres and not another subpar MLS squad player (yes, you Eddie Lewis and Benny Feilhaber) taking up space.
Good game against a weak side (f=very weak). Icing in the cake would have been having Robbie Rogers tearing up the flank.
The lineup that we finished the game with was awesome.
does anyone have a link to highlights from the game?
Was Ives joking or is he believing his own hype? CHing had a good game? Was I watching the same game? I know it was a blowout but just look at the separation Josy creates with the defense and you realize how limited the Nats’ options are with CHing on the field.
Cooper with 2 goals too! What an amazing night
Agreed!
Full time. Jamaica 1 – 0 Mexico.
That caps off the night. Great blowout win. Clinch the hex. Cap Torres. Jozy and Freddie play really well. And Mexico loses. Beautiful!
4 minutes injury time in Jamaica…
” . . . His touch and passing is better than everyone else on the squad, save for possibly Bradley.”
Posted by: Ryan | October 11, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Is that a joke . . .
Great result tonight. US made sure Cuba never had a chance and poured it one with the man advantage. Great that Jozy, Torres and Freddy got some PT. With qualification to the hexagonal now assured, I’d like to see a more experimental lineup. However, since the US is likely not to play again this calendar year, it wouldn’t surprise me to see more of the regulars.
“subs renkin and others coming up in the future…..
Posted by: marc | October 11, 2008 at 09:48 PM ”
Can you imagine this lineup with Guzan, Subotic, Orozco, Edu, Cooper, Davies, Jerome, Gyau, Martinez (get your act together kid) and Renkin!
YOW – ZA!
Torres just earned immediate consideration for a starting spot. His touch and passing is better than everyone else on the squad, save for possibly Bradley.
Here is my resume:
The first thing is that the Cubans are woeful. And a woeful team playing 10 men against 11 for half a match is liable to make anyone look good.
But, like others, I am happy.
Altidore wasted one gilt-edged chance. But he took the second one very nicely. He should be given a several match run and the chance to establish himself in the first XI.
Adu had a few good moments, and provided good service for Oneywu’s goal.
And Torres…Torres looked very sharp. The ball ran away from him once or twice. Once he played a soft ball outside for Beasley, when the latter had already begun breaking in behind the defence. But his touches were sharp. He was composed and forward thinking. His strike from distance was a bit ambitious, but showed some venom. It was the tail-end of a match against Cuba, but it was a very tidy audition.
With Ives, I am enjoying imagining a future that looks like this:
———————–Altidore————————
————–Donovan————-Adu—————–
——–Torres———Bradley——–Dempsey——-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu——-Cherundolo
———————–Howard————————–
I am with Nic D “The Texas 2 Stepper”….
save me depends my friend….let that line up mature and look out
———————–Altidore————
————–Donovan————Adu——-
——–Torres———Bradley—–Dempsey-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—Onyewu—Cherundolo
———————–Howard————–
subs renkin and others coming up in the future…..
that’s right….I am….go on espn 360 and review the goals….they would be on every highlight film in any other country….and altidore would be in highlights Gooch and others…Beasley will be congratulated in Glasgow but will not get one prop except from his former youth coaches….He is not even in his states soccer hall of fame (Indiana)….he must be from the wrong side of tracks…or there are some haters out there….well enough on the excitement of the match….the new story is who will Bradley play….or will bradley play the “game of soccer politics…”In the other sports our best are sent out to perform and coach better put the best out there….in us soccer it is political….let’s watch and see.
jamaica holding on. 1-0 v mexico. yellow cards galour
Mexico-Jamaica game getting chippy (go figure). 76th minute, still 1-0, Jam.
———————–Altidore————————
————–Donovan————Adu—————–
——–Torres———Bradley——–Dempsey——-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu——-Cherundolo
———————–Howard————————–
I think I just wet myself!
marc…you really are excited aren’t you..gosh
Cant stop…sorry:)
here is the comparison…youngsters playing with veterans….players playing in top leagues….and kickin butt and takin names….I am sorry.. this is the most exciting soccer match that I have seen in us soccer history (it captivated the hope of potential)…other than the game verus Italia in the last world cup….I have been around long enough to see…WC 90 qualifier winning goal…holding on against portugal….japan/korea potential….but the goal by altdore and gooch… give me more and I will start buyin Jersey’s….youngsters had raca and drive that reminded me of us basketball not having any mercy on other teams….we need more of it….don’t temper it…..dont tread on me! When Brazil wins no one talks about the level of the opponent…they enjoy the win and goals….unfortunately we have lot’s of people who have played soccer but cannot be fans….to be a fan means you must recognize someone is head and shoulders better than you…and give them their props.
I sustpect Donovan and the European players actually playing (the defenders) will likely be let go to their clubs for Wednesday’s game.
The only sure starter we all knew about before every game was MB. Thank god he is out, BB will be lost without Mikie. “I only took this job to spend more time and be more of a father with my son.”
Even money says Maurice Edu starts in Michael Bradley’s spot on Wednesday night.
Here’s the line-up I’d like to see:
———Altidore———-
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–Beasley—Adu—Dempsey–
——Kljestan—Edu——-
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-Pearce———Cherundolo-
—-Bocanegra-Onyewu——-
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———–Guzan———–
Bench: Howard, Hejduk, Orozco, Califf, Torres, Donovan, Ching
Might be worth it to get some other defenders in the lineup as well, but I’d like to see Guzan get a start with the first-team backline. And I like the 4-5-1 here. It hides the fact that we really don’t have a whole lot of quality strikers in this country.
marc…please dont ever compare the USA Basketball program to the Soccer program, I do appreciate the enthusiasm tho
It would have happened with 11 and any team in this round of qualifying. They need the experience to carry us through the next. At least you could agree it is more entertaining soccer to watch. The kids have got skills which make them very dangerous.
Wow,
where ever the US is finding these players…they need to keep lookin’ and find more…they have found players that have competitive edge….before there would been political pressure connected to the match…but “boys from the hood” came out and played to show they belong….This game reminded me of what USA Basketball used represent in the world of sports….great job…and dont tread on me!
All and all, a good showing against a very weak team. Thought Donovan had one of his best outings in awhile. Beasley great. Defense ok but not really tested and did make the mistake on the goal. The subs made a difference which is what you want. I thought the holding midfielders and Dempsey were probably the weakest link tonight. Not sure Sascha can handle the speed of international play. Would like to see him in a faster league. Howard has been shakey all season and this game probably won’t give him tons of confidence.
The young guns should get to start the next 2 games, and the individual skills are reason for high hopes, but lets not lose sight of them doing it against 10 man Cuba
javier, BEAUTIFULLY PUT
Ives- the future of US soccer IS the lineup we ended with! Torres, Adu and Altidore looked like Veterans. Play them more BB!!!!!!!!!!!
for the record, i do agree ching does a lot of “little” things like make passes and throw his body around. i just, you know, don’t think he deserves entire articles about it. we gotta set the bar a little higher than severely average.
Sacha, Freddy, Torres, Jozy, Guch the future is looking good. Cant wait to see them in the last two qualifers. Glad to see bradley out for once for someone else to get a chance.
God, Bradley is pathetic. A moronic yellow card with one minute left? Really?
Bradley’s really lived down to my (very low) expectations tonight. He’s about the only player who had a bad game.
it would have been an empty win if Michael Bradley didn’t get a yellow card, thanks Mikey!
well, this opens the door for the youth movement for 2 games, and hopefully it doesnt hit ching on his way out. if it does, i’m sure he’ll be able to fend it off successfully though, because we all know that’s what he does.
Javier, I am almost sure I am not on the same side ad you when it comes to biden and palin but I agree with the wet the bed statement…I do see multiple paralels with your analogy, Ching has tenure and isnt nearly as talented as Altidore