U.S. Ties Cuba, 1-1, in Olympic Qualifying Opener
Photo by Carl Wagenfohr TAMPA, Fla. - The U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team tied Cuba, 1-1, in its opening game of 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying behind a 14th minute goal from Freddy Adu. Adu scored after taking a short corner kick to Robbie Findley, who played the ball back to Adu as he was running into the box. Adu took a touch and then fired the ball towards the goalmouth. Screened by midfielder Charlie Davies, Cuban goalkeeper Jose Manuel Miranda didn't see the ball until the final moment when Davies quickly jumped out of the way, giving the 'keeper no chance to make the save. "We had enough chances to win the game," said head coach Peter Nowak. "We have to capitalize on our chances we had in the first half, and also in the second half. As I said, it's the first game and we had a difficult game. We're going to be ready for the next game." Adu was dangerous early and often, giving the U.S. multiple opportunities in the first half. The 18-year-old received a ball inside the box in the second minute, turned and took a shot that banged off the far post and was then cleared away by the Cuban defense. "It's the first game and we just need to bounce back," said midfielder and team captain Maurice Edu. "There are still two more games in our group and now we're looking to pick up three points in each one. We need to keep our heads up and just put our focus on Thursday's game." The U.S. is currently tied for second in Group A, and will take on Panama on Thursday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium. The final, and likely decisive, match will be versus Honduras on Saturday March 15 at 7 p.m. Both events are doubleheaders, with Cuba taking on Honduras at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, and Panama facing Cuba at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets priced from $18 to $65 remain available by phone at 813-287-8844 (Tampa), at local Ticketmaster outlets and at the Raymond James box office on game days.
Photo by Carl Wagenfohr
Photo by Carl Wagenfohr
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