Five Cuban players missing

papa5murf · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:58 pm

I can't say I'm surprised that these players have chosen to defect.

Quote:

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Five Cuban soccer players went missing Tuesday night after the under-23 team played a key match against the United States, a team official said Wednesday.

The missing men had not yet reported to authorities.

Zachary Mann, a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection, said it's unlikely the agency will learn the men's whereabouts until they come forward.

Under the United States' "wet foot, dry foot" policy, Cubans who reach U.S. soil are allowed to remain in the country and apply for U.S. residency after one year.

The Cuban team is in Tampa to play in qualifying games for the Beijing Olympics this August, sponsored by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, or CONCACAF.

A CONCACAF spokesman declined comment, saying only that the situation is under review.

The five men, including a goalie and team captain who helped Cuba tie the United States 1-1 Tuesday, are expected to be in Miami by this weekend, said Marcos Ommati, a spokesman with professional soccer team Miami FC.

He said he had not spoken with the players and did not know their whereabouts, but said he had spoken with someone who told him to expect the players.

CONCACAF and team officials did not identify the five missing players. But looking at players' jerseys Wednesday's practice revealed those who were absent: Jose Manuel Miranda, 21; Erlys Garcia Baro, Yenier Bermudez, Yordany Alvarez and Loanni Prieto, all listed as 22-year-olds.

Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said the agency had not received any missing persons reports from the team, and officers were not called to the team's hotel to investigate the disappearances.

A Cuban team leader would not discuss details and said he was most concerned about Thursday's match against Honduras.

"Tomorrow we have a very important game ... and we are concentrating on that," said Luis Hernandez, president of the Soccer Association of Cuba and the only team official to address the media.

When asked what the team planned to do without the players, Hernandez said, "Win -- with the five, without the five -- win."

G_Man · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:53 am

They found yet?

papa5murf · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:57 pm

G_Man wrote:

They found yet?

No. They are long gone. And actually, there are reports that 2 more walked out of the hotel a day later. So that's 7 Cubans in total.

Wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of them spring up on an MLS squad in the coming weeks.

MontyMagpie · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:51 pm

Just goes to show American security isn't very tight. If they can get in and disappear so can the Al-Qaeda.

papa5murf · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:58 pm

MontyMagpie wrote:

Just goes to show American security isn't very tight. If they can get in and disappear so can the Al-Qaeda.

Well the Cubans were in for the U-23 Championship for qualification to the Olympics.

But yes, if Al-Qaeda wanted to get in, they could easily do it with the resources they have. They are always talking about the border with Mexico, but they completely forget about the border with Canada which is miles easier to cross.

conner99 · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:01 pm

.....why would they want to leave Cuba though ... ?

papa5murf · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:55 pm

conner99 wrote:

.....why would they want to leave Cuba though ... ?

It's the same with baseball players. Usually when the Cuban baseball team gets a chance to play in the US, you'll usually see a few of the star players defect.

The main reason for them to defect is so they have to opportunity to play professionally in the MLB. And in this case the MLS (if they are good enough).

Steely Hill · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:19 pm

conner99 wrote:

.....why would they want to leave Cuba though ... ?

havent the foggiest.

from what i can gather on here its paradise

papa5murf · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:34 pm

A little update. 3 of them have been found ... in Beckham's home!! Laughing

Well the Home Depot Center, where the Galaxy play.

Quote:

Cuban defectors might sign with the Galaxy

Three of the seven are working out with the team in Carson.

Remember those seven Cuban defectors who bolted from the team during Olympic qualifying in Florida last month? Well, three of them are now running around the Home Depot Center in Galaxy uniforms.

Goalkeeper Jose Manuel Miranda, defender and captain YenierBermudez and midfielder Yordany Alvarez all started training with Los Angeles this week, and although the red tape and paperwork could be a lengthy process, one or more could be signed if Coach Ruud Gullit likes what he sees.

It's only speculation, but if the Cubans impress, defender Abel Xavier (35 years old and earning $156,000 a year) and midfielder Pete Vagenas (30 and $138,437) could find themselves under pressure from Bermudez and Alvarez, both 22, before the season is over.

Before defecting in Tampa, Miranda, 21, had been playing for Matanzas, and Bermudez and Alvarez played for Cienfuegos.

The trio would not only have to receive U.S. Department of State clearance before being allowed to play, but also the approval of FIFA since they technically still belong to their Cuban clubs.

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Five Cuban players missing

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