HAVANA — Clint Dempsey scored late in the second half and the United States men’s soccer team held on to beat Cuba 1-0 in a sloppy World Cup qualifier Saturday night, its first match on the communist-run island since 1947.
The U.S. won its third straight road qualifier and took the lead in Group One of the semifinals in the North and Central American and Caribbean region.
In the 39th minute, Oguchi Onyewu sent a pass into the box from midfield and Dempsey jumped up with two Cuban defenders, one of whom mistakenly headed the ball straight to Brian Ching. Ching held off a defender and dropped the ball to Dempsey, who was all but unmarked when he scored from 12 yards out.
A thunderstorm soaked the field two hours before kickoff, making footing and ball control was difficult for both teams.
• In the MLS, Jason Garey scored twice and Guillermo Barros Schelotto had a goal and two assists to lead the Columbus Crew to a 4-0 win over the New England Revolution.
• Arturo Alvarez and Darren Huckerby scored to help the San Jose Earthquakes continue their playoff push with a 2-1 victory over D.C. United.
• Stephen King scored in the 36th minute to lift the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls.
• Daniel Paladini and Jonathan Bornstein scored to rally Chivas USA to a 3-1 win over Toronto FC.
• Edson Buddle scored in the 69th minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy tied Real Salt Lake 2-2.
Sparks earn WNBA playoff berth
HOUSTON — DeLisha Milton- Jones had 16 points and seven rebounds to help the Los Angeles Sparks clinch a WNBA playoff berth with an 84-66 win over the slumping Houston Comets.
• Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 21 points and Deanna Nolan added 17 points and 10 rebounds and the Detroit Shock used a 26-11 advantage in the fourth quarter to beat the Mystics 84-69.
• Sue Bird scored 23 point as the Seattle Storm defeated the Minnesota Lynx 96-88.
Ballan takes Vuelta lead
LA RABASSA, Andorra — Alessandro Ballan of Italy won the seventh stage of cycling’s Spanish Vuelta and took the overall lead.
The 28-year-old finished ahead of Spaniards Ezequiel Mosquera, riding for Xacobeo Galicia, and Alberto Contador of Astana.
Footnotes.
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed forward Darnell Jackson, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward who averaged 11.2 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds in 40 games for Kansas’ NCAA championship team.
• Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters ended his holdout and reported to the team.
• The San Francisco 49ers listed quarterback Alex Smith (right shoulder) as doubtful for today’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
• British lightweight hope Amir Khan suffered the first loss of his professional career when he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott of Colombia in Manchester, England.
The Associated Press
