Brek Shea and US Olympic Hopefuls Overwhelm Cuba 6-0
By Matt Barbour
The United States Men’s National Team Under-23’s opened the qualifying tournament for this summer’s London Olympics in dominating fashion with a 6-0 victory over Cuba from LP Field in Nashville, TN. FC Dallas superstar and Texas native Brek Shea showed the skill and tactical awareness that has made him a regular call up to Jürgen Klinsmann’s senior US squad, but the night belonged to Joe Corona (Club Tijuana – Mexican Primera), who scored his first hat trick as a professional.
The United States played the role of Goliath all night long and sent wave after wave of attack at the very over-matched (and slingshot-less) Cubans. The tone for the match was set early with the US team immediately controlling possession and playing a very high defensive line (both outside backs were in Cuba’s end the majority of the evening). Coach Caleb Porter sent his team out in an attacking 4-3-3 formation. While the early passing lacked crispness, the USMNT soon found their rhythm: Brek Shea consistently caused the Cuban back-line problems with deep runs on the wing that resulted in either corner kicks or chances for the US.
In the 11th minute, United States National Team veteran Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union – Major League Soccer) sent in a curling free kick that Cuban goalkeeper Odinsel Cooper tried to clear with a punch. Unfortunately for him, the clearance went straight to Corona, who chested the ball down and then powerfully volleyed the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of the match (Quick aside: his Mexican club team has one of the great nicknames in all of sports – Xoloitzcuintles). Things went downhill from there for Cuba as defender Macías earned a straight red card for an elbow to Juan Agudelo’s (Red Bull New York – Major League Soccer) mouth that Kevin McHale would have applauded. Cuba had already looked hopelessly outmatched when it was 11 v 11, so being down a man for more than an hour was simply going to be an impossible situation for them.
Uncle Sam’s men continued to attack Cuba’s goal relentlessly after the sending off. Shea sent in a brilliant cross that Agudelo headed home in the 36th minute, and then before you could even take a sip of your beer, Joe Corona struck for his second goal. Mix Diskerud (Gent – Belgian Pro League) sent in a perfect square ball from the left side of the 18-yard box and Corona deftly volleyed the ball home to make it 3-0 USA in the 38th minute. Just before the half, Brek Shea sent in yet another dangerous cross, this one from the left, and the onrushing Cuban defender had no chance to pull up and unintentionally knocked the ball past his keeper for an own goal: 4-0 USA at the half.
When the second half started, Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City – Major League Soccer) came on for Agudelo and the US picked up right where they left off. They passed the ball around quickly and effectively, either seamlessly switching the play from one side to another or completing quick one-touch passes to break runners free. Brek Shea was substituted off in the 57th minute for very promising young winger Joe Gyau (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – Bundesliga) after a very impressive night’s work. Shea was man-of-the match worthy, except for Joe Corona’s unforgettable breakout performance.
In the 65th minute Adu (who is surprisingly only 22) showed some of the incredible skill that made him a phenom at 14 when he lasered home a strike from 25 yards.
Corona was already in serious consideration for man of the match before his stoppage time strike on another slick pass from Diskerud, but his third (and the team’s 6th) goal of the night sealed the deal.
For US supporters used to watching their side play a defensive, counter-attacking style against many of the heavyweights of world soccer, this attacking, overwhelming performance was a welcome respite. The USMNT should face slightly stiffer competition from Canada on Saturday, though they will remain the heavy favorites. If all goes according to plan a finals date with arch-rival Mexico and a trip to London will be the prize for this group that comprises many of America’s future soccer stars for the Olympics, World Cup 2014 and beyond.