âš½ | GOL Estados Unidos anota el segundo ante Cuba: https://t.co/YTugNp4aU2https://t.co/DQFM1WCWpT
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 7, 2016
It was a historic friendly played in CONCACAF field conditions, but the US national team overcame a slow start to defeat Cuba 2-0 on Friday at the Estadio Pedro Marrero in Havana.
The first friendly played between the countries since 1947 was marked by lethargic play at times, but Cuba gave the Americans a scare with two shots off the post before the visitors took full control of the match in the second half.
Ethan Horvath, making his first start for the US senior team, made a save on Roberney Caballero's shot in the 28th minute to keep the game scoreless. He was pressed into action again seven minutes later, but Aricheel Hernandez's redirect was smothered by the young goalkeeper.
The US nearly took the lead within the first minute of the second half, with Julian Green crossing toJozy Altidore, whose header set up Bobby Wood's header on goal, but Cuban goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez was up to the task in stopping the shot.
Maikel Reyes had a shot bounce off the post just before the hour mark, a rather unlucky bounce for a Cuban side that was getting closer and closer to scoring.
The US finally found the breakthrough in the 62nd minute, as Julian Green made a tricky run along the left side of midfield before unleashing a hard shot that was parried aside by Sanchez, but Chris Wondolowski followed up on the rebound, burying it to give the visitors the lead.
Cuba nearly equalized three minutes later, but could not find the net despite having three chances inside the box in quick succession, including another shot off the post.
Green doubled the Americans' lead in the 71st minute, tapping in a low cross from Wondolowski as just reward for a good shift.
Box Score
- 62' – USA – Chris Wondolowski
- 71' – USA – Julian Green (Chris Wondolowski, Timmy Chandler)
- Full Box Score
- Stats
Next Up
- USA: Tuesday, October 11 vs. New Zealand (8 pm ET, ESPN, UniMás)
