American Outlaws not deterred by hurricane to attend historic Cuba-USA game

mlssoccer.com ^ | October 6, 2016 | Arielle Castillo

[Berlin_Freeper]

HAVANA, Cuba -- In 2008, there was the story of the “Cuba Cinco,” the five US national team fans who traveled to Cuba the last time the US faced the island country in the Caribbean. This time around, a considerable number more will be cheering from the stands when the US returns to Havana’s Pedro Marrero Stadium for a historic friendly match between the two countries (Friday, 4 pm ET, ESPN2/UniMás).

Indeed, wherever the US national team goes, the American Outlaws will follow – even when a hurricane throws a wrench into the works. Around 70 members from various American Outlaws chapters signed up for the supporters’ group travel package, which offered charter flights, visa help, and accommodations in the swanky Hotel Melia Habana.

Then Hurricane Matthew appeared over the Atlantic. As it tore through the Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction over Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas and beyond, the storm veered closer and closer to the southeastern coast of Florida. Havana, at the opposite western end of Cuba, remained unaffected, with the game planned to go on as scheduled – but then nearly every flight out of Miami was canceled on Thursday.

Yet that won’t deter the fiercely devoted.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Game starts in a few hours.

GO USA!

[Berlin_Freeper]

Clint Dempsey Heart Problem

[Berlin_Freeper]

when U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann announced his roster for friendlies against Cuba and New Zealand, the fact that neither Howard nor Guzan was on it was worth a Bill Hader-like raised eyebrow.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

Thanks for the ping. Although Matthew is north of us, it will be a ‘stuck inside’ kind of day. Perfect for watching soccer.

[Berlin_Freeper]

the shadow of Nov. 11 looms large.

[Berlin_Freeper]

There you go. :)

[Berlin_Freeper]

[Berlin_Freeper]

Jozy Altidore Goal - October 1, 2016

[safeasthebanks]

Just a friendly, right? I didn’t think Cuba made it to the next round of WCQ.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Yes a friendly but a needed opportunity for USA to get the new talent working.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Bobby Wood ● all Goals & Skills

[Berlin_Freeper]

#USMNT

[Berlin_Freeper]

Forward partnerships are typically formed on the practice field. Preferences, from a player's favored foot to the runs he likes to make, are noted. Repetition and time are then needed for such knowledge to take hold, though the infrequency of national team matches can make this difficult at international level.

In the case of Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood, there was work off the field as well.

[Berlin_Freeper]

5 USMNT players who have something to prove vs. Cuba

[Berlin_Freeper]

World Cup Qualifiers are started now... France, Holland, etc...

[Berlin_Freeper]

Tomorrow Germany, England, etc...

[Berlin_Freeper]

Then Sunday I am going to Tropical Islands.

Tropical Islands Resort (2016)

[Berlin_Freeper]

Field condition looks like my backyard.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Bench looks like a 1950’s bus stop.