Soccer

U.S. starts with draw in Olympic qualifying

The Under-23 men get plenty of shots but can't beat Cuba at Raymond James Stadium.

By BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Correspondent
Published March 12, 2008

TAMPA - There was no shortage of opportunities for the U.S. under-23 men's soccer team Tuesday night against a feisty Cuba squad.

The American players banged balls off the post.

They misfired wide by inches.

They produced a number of dangerous chances.

But when it was all done, the U.S. team settled for a 1-1 draw at Raymond James Stadium in the team's opening match in the Olympic qualifying tournament.

"We had enough chances to win the game and not only win the game, but win big," U.S. coach Peter Nowak said.

The draw leaves the Americans and Cuba tied for second with a point each, trailing group leader Honduras after the first of three matches this week. Honduras defeated Panama 1-0 in the first match of the night.

The Americans peppered Jose Manuel Miranda throughout, but Freddy Adu's strike in the 14th minute was the only one that hit the back of the net. The Americans outshot Cuba 19-6.

"We put the pressure on the Cuban team and got the goal when we needed it," Nowak said. "This is the first game but we know we should play better and we could play better."

"Obviously, it did get a little frustrating," Adu said. "But, that's soccer."

Adu had the bulk of the Americans' good looks at the net. His left-footed blast in the second minute caromed off the left post and he also had two free kicks narrowly punched away. Jozy Altidore was turned back on a one-on-one situation, as was Robbie Findley in the 54th minute.

"You're going to hit some on target and some are going to go off target," Adu said. "Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't."

The Americans got on the board when Adu received a short corner near the edge of the 18-yard box. The midfielder, who plays for Portuguese club Benfica, whipped a left-footed shot. With Charlie Davies providing a shield, the ball got past Miranda for the lead.

Cuba got the equalizer in the 42nd minute when Leonel Duarte found Yordany Alvarez at the edge of the box. Alvarez slid a pass across the goalmouth that Roberto Linares redirected with his left foot past U.S. goalkeeper Chris Seitz.

"In some cases there were too many holes (in the defense)," Nowak said.

HONDURAS 1, PANAMA 0: Hendry Thomas scored in the 90th minute to lift Honduras.

Left unmarked 10 yards in front of the goal, Thomas took a pass from Oscar Morales, turned and fired with his right foot into the left side of the net.

Not long after his score, Panama nearly tied it.

But in stoppage time, Nelson Barahona's free kick from 25 yards hit the crossbar. Gabriel Torres tried to knock in the rebound, but his shot was punched over the net by goalkeeper Kevin Hernandez to preserve the lead.

One Panama opportunity came in the 21st minute, when a free kick from 30 yards went to Roman Torres, whose header sailed well over the net.

In the 34th minute, Rigoberto Padilla appeared to find another teammate in scoring position, but Panamanian goalkeeper Jose Calderon dived to the ground and knocked the ball away before Jose Cesar Guity could get to it. The teams combined for just 12 shots.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

[Last modified March 12, 2008, 01:01:33]