Forward Jozy Altidore (pictured) has scored six goals for the USA in 2016. (Photo: Victor Straffon/Straffon Images)
HAVANA, Cuba -- Chris Wondolowski scored one goal and set up another to lift the United States to a 2-0 win over Cuba in an international friendly at Estadio Pedro Marrero on Friday.
Julian Green also tallied for the Americans, who improved to 10W-1D-1L against Cuba, including 10 straight victories dating back to 1949.
In his international debut, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath made three saves to record the shutout. At 21 years, 120 days, he is the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the U.S. since Zach Thornton came on as a substitute in a 3-0 victory against Trinidad & Tobago on November 22, 1994 (21 years, 43 days).
Wondolowski, who replaced Christian Pulisic at halftime, gave the Americans a 1-0 the lead in the 62nd minute. Cuba goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez parried Green's shot into the path of the San Jose Earthquakes star and he buried it into the center of the net for his 11th career goal.
After latching onto a Timmy Chandler pass, Wondolowski turned playmaker in the 71st minute. He found Green with a pin-point pass as the Bayern Munich forward slotted home for his second international goal. Green's first goal came in extratime of the USA's 2-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
U.S. captain Michael Bradley made his 123rd appearance, tying him with former teammate DaMarcus Beasley for sixth on the team's all-time caps list.
The Americans will host New Zealand in another friendly at Washington, D.C.’s Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night, before commencing play in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup against visiting Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, on November 11.
International Friendly
October 7, 2016: Estadio Pedro Marrero – Havana, Cuba (Att: n/a)
Cuba-USA 0-2 (0-0)
Chris Wondolowski 62’; Julian Green 71’
Cuba: Sandy Sanchez; Josel Piedra, Yasmany Lopez, Yasniel Napoles, Carlos Serrano, Daniel Luis Saez (Dayron Blanco 74’) , Roberney Caballero (Roberto Peraza 76’), Aricheel Hernandez, Alberto Gómez (Duzney Espinoza 66’), David Urgelles, Maykel Reyes. Head Coach: Raul Mederos
USA: Ethan Horvath; DeAndre Yedlin (Timmy Chandler 46’), Geoff Cameron, John Brooks (Steve Birnbaum 46’), Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic (Chris Wondolowski 46’), Michael Bradley, Sacha Kljestan (Danny Williams 69’), Julian Green, Jozy Altidore (Paul Arriola 69’), Bobby Wood (Jordan Morris 60’). Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
R: Jafeth Perea (Panama); AR1: Ronald Bruma (Panama); AR2: Gabriel Victoria (Panama); 4th: Adniel Quintana Mendieta (Cuba)
