U.S., Cuba play to a 1-1 tie in Olympic qualifying opener
SOCCER DAILY
Adu's early goal is negated by Linares' answer just before halftime and the Americans' nonstop pressure in the second half doesn't produce the winner.
The United States got off to an inauspicious start in its quest to qualify for the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday night when it was held to a 1-1 tie by Cuba in Tampa, Fla.
An early goal by FreddyAdu, who was a driving force for the U.S. throughout the 90 minutes, appeared to put the Americans in control, but they took their foot off the pedal and that allowed Cuba to score the tying goal just before halftime.
It came from RobertoLinares, who directed the ball past goalkeeper ChrisSeitz from close range in the 42nd minute after a good attacking play in which YordanisAlvarez provided the telling final pass.
Coach PeterNowak replaced JozyAltidore with Chivas USA midfielder SachaKljestan for the second 45 minutes, during which the U.S. applied almost nonstop pressure but to no avail.
Linares was unfortunate to be sent off after picking up a second yellow card in the 83rd minute when he kicked the ball into the U.S. net after an offside call had been made. It was a harsh decision by Guatemalan referee WalterLopez and means Linares will be suspended for the next game.
Adu, who had hit the left post with a shot in the second minute before scoring 12:59 into the match, saw several other opportunities go begging. He had a couple of shots go narrowly wide and another well saved by goalkeeper JoseManuelMiranda, who also denied DaxMcCarty and RobbieFindlay with fine saves.
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In the opening match of the qualifying series, Honduras managed to eke out a 1-0 victory over Panama on a 90th-minute goal by HendryThomas. The Panamanians came within inches of earning a tie in stoppage time, but a 25-yard free kick by NelsonBarahona saw the ball crash off the crossbar.
GabrielTorres latched onto the rebound, but his shot was tipped over the bar by Honduran goalkeeper KevinHernandez to preserve the victory.
Honduras, which leads the group with three points, will play Cuba on Thursday and the U.S. will play Panama.
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Olympic qualifying continues Wednesday with Haiti playing Guatemala at 5:30 p.m. and Canada playing Mexico at 8 p.m. at the Home Depot Center.
