USA book spot in final round of qualifiers, beat Cuba 6-1

The USA maintained their unbeaten record in qualification for the 2010 World Cup when they thrashed Cuba 6-1 at the RFK Stadium in Washington. The victory, the fourth for the USA in as many games in the third qualification round, sees them sit atop Group 1 with 12 points. With Guatemala and Trinidad seven points behind, the USA are guaranteed of going into the next round as one of the two top teams from the group.

Rangers winger DaMarcus Beasley opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and doubled USA’s lead in the 30th minute. Jenzy Munoz then scored for the visitors two minutes later ( the first goal to have been conceded by the USA in qualification), but any hopes that the Cubans harboured of getting something out of the match were crushed when Yoel Colume was sent off for a second bookable offence before half time.

Landon Donovan made it 3-1 minutes after half time, and Brian Ching carried on from where he had left against Trinidad and Tobago by scoring the fourth.

Freddy Adu was introduced as a substitute in the 76th minute, and the Monaco forward had a hand in both of the two goals which were to follow. He began the move which resulted in Jozy Altidore scoring on his qualifying debut, and assisted defender Oguchi Oneywu for the sixth and final goal.

Donovan and Beasley in particular played well, and left back Jose Francisco Torres made his national debut, coming on as a substitute for Heath Pearce.

Cuba have lost all four of their games in this group, and the chances of them making it to the next round are all but over.

Canada’s 3-1 loss to Honduras in Group 2 means that they are out of contention for a spot in the final round.

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