USA vs. Cuba: Score and Twitter Reaction for 2016 Friendly

The United States men's national soccer team defeated Cuba 2-0 at the Estadio Pedro Marrero in Havana on Friday, as the Stars and Stripes met the Lions of the Caribbean in a rare friendly match between the two nations.

A dull first half improved after the break as goals from Chris Wondolowski and Julian Green gave the USA a convincing advantage.

Cuba attacked with verve throughout the match but could not find the finish they needed to peg back their opponents.

The USA opted to partner Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood in attack, with John Brooks and Geoff Cameron anchoring the defence. Molde stopper Ethan Horvath started in goal, earning his first international cap.

The visitors started with more urgency than their hosts, but the game had a sedentary outlook from the early stages on a beautiful day in Cuba.

Alberto Gomez went closest for the Cubans in the first half, but he watched his effort clip the post after 15 minutes.

Horvath was then called into action as he kept the ball out of his net, as Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports called the action:

The heavy pitch was clearly having an effect on America's approach, and the Stars and Stripes found it impossible to play a technical game on the surface.

The contest remained goalless at half-time, prompting USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann to make changes.

Prince-Wright commented on the pitch and advocated the substitution of Borussia Dortmund starlet Christian Pulisic:

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The United States were more cohesive in the second half, and the hosts were restricted as they conceded possession.

However, Cuba striker Maikel Reyes charged at the American defence as he broke forward, but the player failed to convert after doing the hard work to fashion a good chance.

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wall was displeased with the surface and made his feelings known:

The USA finally grabbed a breakthrough shortly after the hour mark as forward Wondolowski found the back of the net.

Writer Nate Scott was not surprised the goalscorer had success against Cuba:

"

The first time I laid eyes on this field I thought: "This is a field for Chris Wondolowski."

— Nate Scott (@aNateScott) October 7, 2016"

Wondolowski turned provider nine minutes later as Green doubled the United States' advantage in the match.

Green sprinted into the danger area to receive the attacker's cross, and the goalscorer tapped home from close range to make it 2-0.

Reporter Ives Galarcep of Goal USA described the action as America put distance between themselves and their opponents:

Cuba's attacking remained inspired in the last 15 minutes, and Yosvani Caballero went close for the hosts as he hit the post. 

The Cubans were desperate to prove themselves, but USMNT strolled through the final minutes with their advantage in their pocket.

Steven Birnbaum missed an easy chance for the USA in the closing moments when it would have been easier to score, as Klinsmann watched on with his head in his hands.

The tempo had evaporated after America's second goal, and the visitors were happy to suffocate Cuba when they had opportunity.

The USA claimed the win in a match that was compromised by a bad pitch, but the Americans will be pleased they were not embarrassed by their willful opposition.