Everytime Chris Wondolowski and Julian Green find themselves on the outside of the United States Men’s National Team they do something to get back into it. Despite playing under difficult circumstances Wondolowski and Green made the most of their opportunities on Friday afternoon at Estadio Pedro Marrero in Havana, Cuba. The attacking each notched a goal in the second half to give the United States a 2-0 win over Cuba.
The first forty-five minutes of this match likely did not remind anyone of El Clasico or a World Cup final. With both sides playing their first match in over a month and playing on a pitch with a few bumps midfield play and attacking chances were largely stilted.
The United States would have their first and best opportunity of the match in the 17th minute when Jozy Altidore would feed a surging Bobby Wood. Wood would get by the Cuban defense but was unable to keep his shot down, lifting his chance over the bar. In general the USMNT really struggled to build any real opportunities with Michael Bradley being largely anonymous for the first forty-five.
Cuba on the other hand looked to have a bit more life in them. Although they have already been eliminated from Caribbean and World Cup Qualification Cuba played with purpose and with something to prove. Against a high U.S. back-line The Lions of the Caribbean found attacking opportunities by making late runs down the right flank.
In the 34th minute forward Archieel Hernandez got past John Anthony Brooks and hit a promising shot on target. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, making his first start for the U.S.A., was more than up for the challenge though making the timely save.
In the second half the United States would show a little bit more life. In the 61st minute Green would hammer a shot from distance that would force Sanchez to make a sprawling save. Wondolowski would scoop up the rebound and slot home his eleventh goal for the national team.
The San Jose Earthquake forward would return the favor for Green just fourteen minutes later with a long pass into the box. With nary a defender in sight the Bayern Munich forward would deftly hit home his second goal in seven appearances for the United States.
Cuba would have their own attacking chances late. In the 65th minute midfielder Roberney Caballero would find space on the back post from a cross by Alberto Gomez. But for the second time in the match Cuba would be denied by the bar. A previous effort by Maikel Reyes in the 57th minute would be deflected and hit the iron.
MATCH SUMMARY
USA– Ethan Horvath, John Brooks (Steve Birnbaum 45′) , Bobby Wood (Jordan Morris 60′), Faban Johnson, DeAndre Yedlin (Timothy Chandler 45′), Michael Bradley, Christian Pulisic (Chris Wondolowski 45′), Geoff Cameron, Sacha Kjlestan (Danny Williams 69′) Jozy Altidore (Paul Arriola 69′), and Julian Green.
Goals- Wondolowski (62′) and Green (70′)
Cuba- Sandy Sanchez, David Urgelles, Josel Piedra, Yaisnier Napoles, Yasmany Lopes, Alberto Gomez (Duxney Espinosa 66′), Carlos Francisco, Daniel Luis Saez (Dayron Blanco 75′), Roberney Caballero (Roberto Peraza 76′), Archieel Hernandez, and Maikel Reyes.
Yellow Cards- Urgelles (7′) and Lopez (59′)
