by Jamie Trecker

Comment

With the win, the USA became the second team of the day to book a berth in the final, 'Hexagonal' round of CONCACAF World Cup regional qualification with two games remaining to be played in this group stage. Costa Rica's 4-1 win over Suriname booked the Ticos' slot earlier in the afternoon.

Beasley, the Glasgow Rangers midfielder, got on the board twice in the first half, netting his first goals for the USA since June of 2007. Landon Donovan added the third early in the second half, and the Americans never looked back against a Cuban side reduced to ten men following Yole Colome's ejection in the 41st minute.

The floodgates opened after that: Brian Ching scored in the 63rd minute and teen Jozy Altidore tallied on his World Cup qualifying debut. Oguchi Onyewu scored in the 90th minute to finish it off.

Cuba's one shining moment came in the 32nd minute. With their only legitimate shot of the game, Jenzy Munoz exploited Michael Bradley to fire a hard shot off the crossbar and in over goalkeeper Tim Howard. The goal ended the Americans' shut-out streak at six games.

But American fans won't care about that blemish. Rather, they will be pleased to have seen the Americans take the sword to a weak opponent with flair.

Getting solid work out of Bradley and Heath Pearce, the American spine tonight controlled the pace of the match in a manner not seen since this summer's home game at Giants against Argentina. Cuba, being no Argentina, were also no match for the patient passing game that the Americans employed to lever their way wide and around what at times was a seven-man Cuban defense.

Playing flowing, controlling football from the kick-off, the USA took only ten minutes to get on the scoresheet against a Cuban side that was reduced to desperate defending in the final third of the field.

Clint Dempsey set the tone in the fourth minute, getting wide open on great service from Donovan, but firing his shot right at 'keeper Odelin Molina. But Beasley, capitalizing on a bad giveaway from Jose Luis Clavelo, made no mistake with his shot six minutes later.

Beasley added his second in clinical fashion after being sprung by Donovan just past the half-hour mark, with a fine strike low and right.

Beasley was the most encouraging sight of the night. Finally looking like the dynamic winger of old, Beasley combined with Donovan throughout the night to bedevil Cuba, showing a sharpness and resilience that many had feared lost to repeated injury. Both goals were classics; the first a searing shot across the mouth of Molina's net and into the far corner; the second a fine technical take to controlling a bouncer that he settled and half-volleyed in.

Donovan also deserves high praise, looking for once like the commanding playmaker many had hoped he could be. He was everywhere, and had a hand in four of the six goals, either by sending in the cross, making the space for his teammates, or scoring himself.

Yet many fans, who have bemoaned coach Bob Bradley's roster choices, will be most cheered to have finally gotten their due. The truth is, the young folks made a big splash when they finally got in.

Freddy Adu, coming on in the 76th minute, made an immediate impact with two key plays to set up goals. Adu began the play that set up Alitdore's goal, and he blew past Reysander Fernandez at the end of regulation to fire a pin-point cross to Oneywu for the assist.

Adu looked fully in control and uncontainable. With Altidore charging down the field, the Americans finally look to have that intimidating pure striker. And Jose Francisco Torres, getting not only his first look but his first cap, was very solid, pushing the attack up even further as a left-back.

Now, the Americans have two games to play with. Wednesday, they will take on Trinidad and Tobago at Port of Spain in what should be a must-win match for the homers, making it a fine match to give many of the youngsters a good shot. And, the USA will close out this round November 19 against Guatemala, giving Bradley another chance to call in some long overlooked faces.

NOTES:

Cuba was only able to field 16 players this evening. Cuban state television announced that two players — Pedro Faife and Reynier Alcantara — had defected to the United States. As of game time, the players had not reported to American immigration officials to file for asylum, and had been reported as "missing" on Friday. The defections are the latest blow for a program which saw six players defect at a youth tournament earlier this year in Florida.

Torres got his first cap for the USA, entering in the 68th minute for Heath Pearce. Torres, who grew up in Texas, plays for Mexican club Pachuca, and had been eligible to play for the Tricolores.

Jamie Trecker's newest book, "Love and Blood: At the World Cup with the Footballers, Fans and Freaks" is out now from Harcourt. Jamie is assisted by Jerry and Janice Trecker. Contact Jamie at jamie.trecker@gmail.com and visit his blog and website at www.jamietrecker.com.

The views and opinions expressed by Jamie Trecker do not necessarily reflect those of the Fox Soccer Channel or FoxSoccer.com.