| EFE |
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| Maikel Galindo |
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The young Cuban team shocked the Qwest Field crowd in the 18th minute when
they took a 1-0 lead. Forward Lester More, who made a run to the far post, volleyed
in a cross past US goalie Marcus Hahnemann.
While keeping heavy pressure, the United States could not crack the Cuban defense
and goalie Odelin Molina. Right before halftime, the Americans knotted the score.
DaMarcus Beasley took a pass on the left side of the penalty box and crossed
to New England Revolution striker Clint Dempsey. Dempsey took the cross and
slotted it past Molina.
The United States, who are currently in second place in CONCACAF World Cup
qualifying, needed some key saves by goalie Marcus Hahnemann at the beginning
of the second half. Hahnemann, who played collegiate soccer in the Seattle area,
kept the Cuban attack under control.
With the score tied at 1-1, Cuba was forced to play with ten men after Jaime
Colome was sent off with a red card for a vicious foul on Conor Casey.
After making several late substitutions, the United States put pressure on
the Cuban defense. Josh Wolff narrowly missed a header in the 83rd minute, sending
the ball over the cross bar.
Landon Donovan, who came on as a sub in the 66th minute, was fouled late in
the game just outside the Cuban penalty area. Donovan took the free kick and
curled it in the corner, giving the US a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute. The American's
relentless attack continued, as Santino Quaranta fed DaMarcus Beasley, who scored
with a shot from outside the penalty area in the 89th minute.
The United States was not done, as Donovan struck again in injury time after
a set-up from Beasley, giving the Americans a 4-1 victory. The two goals by
Donovan gave him 24 career goals with the national team, tying him for third
all-time with Joe Max-Moore.
Group B play for the CONCACAF Gold Cup will resume in Seattle on Saturday,
July 9th, when Cuba plays Costa Rica at 11:30am PT and the United States plays
Canada at 1:30pm PT. First round group B play will conclude at Gillette Stadium
in Massachusetts.
Miller Lite Man of the Match: Landon Donovan, USA
Scoring Summary:
CUB - Lester More, 18'
USA - Clint Dempsey, 44'
USA - Landon Donovan, 87'
USA - DaMarcus Beasley, 89'
USA - Landon Donovan, 90+'
Cuba - Odelin Molina, Silvio Pedro Minoso (19-Munoz, 90th), Yenier Marquez,
Alexander Cruzata, Enrique Villaurrutia, Disney Aquino, Alain Cervantes, Lester
More (18-Duartes, 57th), Maykel Galindo (11-Gil, 77th), Jamie Colome, Reysander
Fernandez
TD: Armelio Luis Garcia
United States - Marcus Hahnemann, Frankie Hejduk, DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey,
Santino Quaranta, Conor Casey (10-Donovan, 66th), Jimmy Conrad, Chris Armas,
Ben Olsen (16-Wolff, 75th), Brad Davis (5-O'Brien, 75th), Tony Sanneh
TD: Bruce Arena
Misconduct Summary:
USA: Sanneh, 46th
USA: Hejduk, 53rd
CUB: Minoso, 86th
USA: Beasley, 89th
Sent Off:
CUB: Colome, 50th
Referee: Jose Pineda (HON)
Referee's Assistants: Daniel Williamson (PAN), Arturo Velasquez (MEX)
4th Official: Roberto Morneo (PAN)
Attendance: 15,831
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