USA vs Cuba Olympic Qualifying: U-23 Team Gives Glimpse into Future of US Soccer

As the great Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once wrote, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

For the U.S. men's national soccer team, that means taking full advantage of time on the pitch at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn. during the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament this weekend, just as they did in a 6-0 victory over Cuba on Thursday.

Joe Corona registered a hat trick for the Americans, along with goals from Freddy Adu, Juan Agudelo and some mysterious character named "Own."

Perhaps senior coach Jurgen Klinsmann should inquire about "Own's" availability for the senior squad...

If the final-score line wasn't proof enough of America's dominance against its Cold War foe, the Yanks also outshot the Cubans, 12-6, including a 6-1 disparity in shots on goal.

The win was an excellent start to head coach Caleb Porter's effort to guide the U-23 squad to the Summer Olympics in London, while developing talent to be put to even greater use at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

It's all part of Jurgen Klinsmann's grand program to turn the red, white and blue into a powerhouse on the international stage. Many have tried, but few have truly succeeded in the task of making the American men relevant beyond their own borders.

Or even within them, for that matter.

With the stock of young talent on hand in Tennessee this week, there's little reason to believe that the Yanks won't be invading England this summer, where and when they'll have the opportunity to measure themselves against some of the world's best.

Porter's squad features five players who currently play for clubs abroad, including Gent midfielder Mix Diskerud in Belgium, Borussia Dortmund forward Terrence Boyd and eight who have earned caps with the US seniors.

Of particular interest, though, is the quartet of University of Akron alums on the team—Teal Bunbury, Perry Kitchen, Kofi Sarkodie and Zarek Valentin. All four played in college for Porter, who led the Zips to an NCAA title in 2010 and who's sent 14 pupils to the MLS over the last five years.

And then there are the names that hold a bit more household cachet, like Brek Shea and Freddy Adu, both of whom count themselves among the 11 Americans currently in the Music City whose skills have been honed in the US U-17 Residency Program.

The Yanks should have little trouble dominating Group A play and eventually joining the 16-team Olympic field, if they play up to their full capabilities. They've now gone a combined 8-2-4 against Cuba, El Salvador and Canada—their three opponents in Nashville.

Of course, most of Porter's participants won't wind up with the the senior team across the pond later this year. Shea and Agudelo figure to earn caps alongside the likes of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore and Tim Howard, while the other 18 youngsters will be playing as much to win as to impress the watchful eyes of U.S. Soccer.

For them, and American futbol, the journey to the top remains a long and arduous one. But if Thursday's first step against Cuba is any indication, the fruits of their labor may be borne much sooner than expected.

Follow @J0shMart1n