Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath made his U.S. debut in Thursday’s exhibition game against Cuba in Havana.
The 21-year-old from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, who plays for Molde in Norway, was part of the U.S. under-23 team that failed to qualify for this year’s Olympics. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann did not call in veterans Tim Howard and Brad Guzan for the match, which is being used as preparation for the Nov. 11 World Cup qualifier against Mexico.
Horvath is the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the Americans since 21-year-old Zach Thornton was a second-half substitute against Jamaica on Nov. 22, 1994.
Klinsmann inserted three other players who didn’t start in last month’s win over Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup qualifier. Right back DeAndre Yedlin returned from a one-game suspension, central defender John Brooks recovered from a back injury and 21-year-old midfielder Julian Green made his second start and first since Sept. 3, 2014, at the Czech Republic.
Geoff Cameron was paired with Brooks in central defense, and Fabian Johnson was at left back. Michael Bradley, Sacha Kljestan and 18-year-old Christian Pulisic were in the midfield, and Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood headed the attack.
The U.S. played in Cuba twice before, an exhibition in 1947 and a World Cup qualifier in 2008. The Americans also play New Zealand on Tuesday at Washington, D.C.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.