USA 4, Cuba 1

Watched the US's opening match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup last night. Damarcus Beasley & Landon Donovan pulled the US's chestnuts out of the fire after the US let itself go down 1-0 in the 18th minute.

I talked to Mom the Coach & described the US line up (lots of new guys, and a 3-5-2 formation). Coach sez: I like Bruce Arena but sometimes I don't understand his tactics. I never understood this starting out a season or a tournament with anything less than your best team on the field. You can take your foot off the gas once you have the season or the tournament in hand, but why not play your best players at the beginning? And why would you put a defensive formation with new guys who haven't played together too much and haven't played 3 at the back too often in a 3-5-2? Bruce, Bruce.

U.S. Soccer's report: U.S. MEN DOWN CUBA 4-1 IN OPENING MATCH OF 2005 CONCACAF GOLD CUP AT QWEST FIELD IN SEATTLE

Damarcus Beasley scored once & set up two and Landon Donovan who only played the final 25 minutes scored twice. Clint Dempsey (of the Revs) started out the scoring but missed several open shots. The game was remarkable for the return of John O'Brien, who hasn't played for the national team in over two years.

Can't wait to see 'em at Foxboro next week. Please, please, Bruce, give us the "A" lineup!