US to make rare visit to Cuba for friendly

Chaska (United States) (AFP) – The United States will take on Cuba in a friendly on Friday in just the third ever meeting between the two nations on Cuban soil.

Three untested goalkeepers were among the 23 players announced by US coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Sunday ahead of the Havana friendly.

The teams have played each other 11 times with the US having won nine and lost just once — a 5-2 friendly defeat on July 20, 1947 in Havana. 

The most recent meeting in Cuba was a 1-0 US win on September 6, 2008 during qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Klinsmann decided to go for youth in goal as David Bingham, Ethan Horvath and William Yarbrough were named on Sunday instead of veteran stalwarts Brad Guzan and Tim Howard.

The squad began a training camp in Miami on Sunday.

Bingham, Yarbrough and Horvath have a combined three caps between them and the latter is still seeking his first appearance with the national team.

“I think the goalkeeper position is unique,” said Klinsmann. “Obviously we have the two experienced guys with Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.

“Both are in different situations right now — Tim is obviously very busy with the Colorado Rapids and Brad is not getting the opportunity to play at Middlesbrough.

“It’s a perfect time to give an open window to three younger goalkeepers.”

Four days after the Cuba match, the Americans will host New Zealand in Washington, D.C..

Squad:

Goalkeepers: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Ethan Horvath (Molde FK/NOR), William Yarbrough (Club Leon/MEX)

Defenders: Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG) 

Midfielders: Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland/ENG), Perry Kitchen (Hearts/SCO), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Danny Williams (Reading/ENG) 

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN), Julian Green (Bayern Munich/GER), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg/GER)