The New York Cosmos kick off a new era in sporting relations between the US and Cuba today when they become the first professional US sports team in 16 years to play in the Communist-ruled nation.
A blizzard of camera flashbulbs from local media and fans greeted a Cosmos delegation led by Brazilian legend Pele after the soccer team touched down late on Sunday in Havana on a private charter flight.
Former Cosmos star Pele, who has battled a series of health problems in recent months, was mobbed by well-wishers, before being whisked through security with the rest of the squad.
Photo: AFP
Today’s exhibition match against Cuba at the Pedro Marrero Stadium reflects the rapidly thawing ties between the US and Cuba.
Moves to normalize relations after a bitter five-decade schism began last year when the two nations announced a historic rapprochement.
The diplomatic milestone has already shown several signs of extending into the sporting arena.
Cuban officials announced last week that the Baltimore Orioles — the last professional US team to play in Cuba back in 1999 — would return later this year to play against Cuba at baseball.
Earlier last month, Cuba’s state-controlled television also took the unprecedented step of televising a Major League Baseball game involving a Cuban player, Kendrys Morales, in the Kansas City Royals game with the Texas Rangers.
It was the first time Cuba had screened a match involving one of its legion of MLB players, who are, officially at least, barred from playing in the US and often portrayed as “deserters.”
Planning for today’s match began earlier this year, when the Cosmos first sounded out officials in the US and Cuba about the possibility of organizing a game.
“It became pretty real pretty fast, and we had to just take the steps in good order and get everybody on board. Whether it was the [US] State Department, Justice Department, White House,” Cosmos chief executive Erik Stover said.
For the Cosmos, today’s match is in keeping with the team’s evocative history, an exotic nod to their famous 1970s heyday when they lit up the North American Soccer League (NASL) with stars such as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer.
Though the Cosmos do not play in the biggest US league, Major League Soccer, competing instead in a resurrected NASL, they remain one of the most globally recognized brands in US soccer, a testament to the club’s glittering history and willingness to take their show on the road.
They have played friendlies in Hong Kong and El Salvador already this year — Cuba will be the 42nd country the team has visited.
“No other team, past or present, gets close,” Cosmos chairman Seamus O’Brien said. “The club has a history of traveling overseas, opening doors.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely