The U.S. team held the first of four practices in the north Miami suburbs as it prepared to play Cuba in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Havana on Saturday. Saturday’s game in Havana will mark only the second time the U.S. has played in Cuba. The Americans are coming off a 1-0 win over Guatemala and are heavily favoured against a Cuban squad that lost to Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 in a qualifier on Aug. 20th. The U.S. needs a win to stay on track to qualify for the World Cup. The Americans play Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 10 in Bridgeview, Ill., and wins against both countries would all but assure a berth on soccer’s biggest stage.

Both sides are playing down the politics between the two countries, but come game night you have to imagine the atmosphere in the stadium will be Gatorade-commercial intense…

Crumbling Estadio Pedro Marrero seats 28,000 and was built in 1929.

Lingering question…will any crafty US fans find their way to this game (defying the travel ban)…?

Live on ESPN Classic and Galavision.

Image via Fussballtempel