First US match in Cuba since 1947 tops Cup qualifiers

United States will play at political rival Cuba for the first time since 1947 on Saturday in a World Cup 2010 qualifying match that tops a hectic week of North American action on the road to South Africa.

The Americans share the top of Group A in the CONCACAF qualifying zone after winning an opener 1-0 last month at Guatemala.

“This game is crucial to us as we hunt a place in the final group stage,” US coach Bob Bradley said. “With the win over Guatemala we are in good shape and we need to keep going.”

The Cubans, who dropped their opener 3-1 at home to Trinidad and Tobago, hope striker Roberto Linares can pressure the Americans while captain Landon Donovan will lead the US attack.

Americans are restricted from visiting the Communist island, meaning a huge home crowd edge for the hosts at Estadio Pedro Marrero. Cuba won the last US match on the island 5-2 back in 1947.

The teams will meet again in the round-robin semi-final group on October 11 at Washington. The top two from each of three groups will advance to next year's qualifying round to determine which nations will reach South Africa.

“It's been a very long time since that last game,” added Bradley.

“It's going to be a unique experience and one we're all looking forward to. But we must not forget that we have to stay focused and understand just how important this match is in terms of World Cup qualifying.”

Cuban goalkeeper Dany Quintero is looking forward to the match.

“We're always more fired up when we take on the United States,” he said.

“We really don't like losing against them. The fans are really up for this match and we're expecting the stadium to be full.”

Also Saturday, Guatemala will visit Trinidad and Tobago in the other Group A match while Honduras visits Canada and Jamaica travels to Mexico in Group B and Group C has Suriname at Costa Rica and Haiti at El Salvador.

The Jamaicans were originally set to host Mexico but damage inflicted upon Kingston by Hurricane Gustav forced a switch in venues, the Mexicans now set to visit the Caribbean on October 11.

The Canadians drew 1-1 with Jamaica in their opener while Mexico seized the Group B lead with a 2-1 victory over Honduras.

“I think Honduras will be one of our toughest opponents, maybe tougher than Mexico,” Canada captain Paul Stalteri said. “They're peaking at the right time, coming on really strong in the last year. They have some really quick players.”

Costa Rica tops Group C after blanking El Salvador 1-0 while Suriname and Haiti drew 2-2.

Qualifying continues Wednesday with the Americans hosting Trinidad and Tobago and Cubs visiting Guatemala in Group A, Canada at Mexico and Jamaica at Honduras in Group B and Haiti hosting Costa Rica with El Salvador at Suriname in Group C.