If you read Mike Cardillo's preview of tonight's match between Team USA and Cuba at RFK Stadium in Washington -- and if you haven't be sure to read it right now -- you know exactly what's at stake: Team USA is faced with a clearly inferior opponent with the opportunity to advance to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with a win. If they can get the job done tonight, the Americans will get to relax a little and turn the final two matches in this round against Trinidad and Guatemala into nothing more than international friendlies -- though those two countries will be locked in a struggle to snag the second qualifying spot behind the Americans.
Earlier this week I got to speak with two of the rising stars on the American squad: Maurice Edu and Sacha Kljestan. Just 22 and 23 respectively, both have been getting multiple stamps on their passports this year, as they've both played in MLS (Edu with FC Toronto, Kljelstan with Chivas USA) the U.S. Olympic Team in Beijing, as well as with the U.S. Men's National Team where both have nine caps in their careers.
Edu's career took off in international football when Scottish powerhouse Glasgow Rangers purchased his contract from MLS in September. As the son of a Glasgow native -- albeit one who is a diehard fan of Edu's team's longtime rival, Glasgow Celtic -- I had to ask him what life in Scotland was like for the Californian.
How do you like playing in Scotland?
Maurice Edu (ME): It's been good so far, man. I'm enjoying it. The fans out there are passionate fans, die hard fans. So it's been good so far and I'm looking forward to getting back there and playing some more.
What was it like to get on the field for the first time?
ME: It was unbelievable ... Yeah the fans out there, the atmosphere that they create at the game, it's what you dream about ... I've always wanted to play European Soccer and now that I've had the opportunity I'm looking for some more, getting in some more games and just experiencing that week in and week out.
What's the coach telling you about what you have to do to crack the lineup (Edu has made only one appearance, September 13 against Kilmarnock).
ME: It's hard to say because we're doing so well right now. The team is winning, so it's not often that you make changes when the team's winning ... My mentality right now is just to be patient and waiting for my chance.
What do you learn from your last game against Cuba?
ME: They have some crafty players on their team. I think it's key for us to be aware of what they can do, but more importantly, focus on executing the things we do well and making them worry more about us.
I put that same question to Kljestan:Sacha Kljestan: Overall we have a mindset that on every play we need to make it hard on them and not take any breaks because they do have some pretty talented individuals. I think if we give them some time and space they may be able to do something. So as soon as the ball turns over, as soon as something happens you gotta be alert and pressure them a lot so they know theyre in for a hard game.
In qualifying so far you seem to play a lot better at home than on the road. Why is that?
SK: Well, it's always easier to play at home, you've got the home support, you're more comfortable playing at home. And you know, playing on the road in tough places, it's pretty hard. When you go to Guatemala it's hostile, they're throwing stuff at you, the crowd is on their side, maybe the referees are on the home side. Everything is working against you.
This year you've been on the road a lot playing for Chivas USA, the Olympic team and the U.S. National Team. Are you feeling a little gassed right now?
SK: Yes, it's been a long year. At the start of the year with Chivas it was tough because we hadn't put together a lot of results until recently ... Going to the Olympics was a great experience, probably the best of my life. It's something I'll never forget. Every time you get called to the full team it's an honor ... I'm really enjoying my time, but it feels like it's been going on for some time now. I'm looking forward to winning an MLS Cup at the end of the season and then relaxing for a month or so.
Kickoff for tonight's match is 7:00 p.m. U.S. EDT and will be televised on ESPN Classic and Galavision. Thanks to my Soccer buddies Dave Warner, Beau Dure and Dave Lifton for peppering me with ideas before the interviews.
