Two members of Cuba’s national soccer team have gone missing during the team’s trip to Washington for a World Cup qualifying match, the team’s coach told reporters on Friday.

“It is always a problem for the Cuba team,” coach Reinhold Fanz told the Washington Post. “We have security, but you can’t handcuff them to their rooms.”

The Post identified the players as midfielder Pedro Faife, 24, and forward Reynier Alcantara, 26.

Image via Gearlog

The Screaming Eagles and American Outlaws are hosting a couple of get togethers this weekend in DC for the Saturday night game versus Cuba.

Friday Oct 10 - USA Supporters Meet and Greet will be at Momo’s Sports Bar, 5:30 to Closing.

Saturday Oct 11 - Tailgate is at RFK Stadium Lot 8, starting at 3pm until gametime. Lots of food is planned. A key detail is that there will be 10 kegs: including Guinness, Spaten, Sam Adams, plus a couple regional brews Magic Hat from Vermont and Bell’s from Michigan.

PostGame - at Finn macCools.

Definitely go to The Screaming Eagles or The American Outlaws site for more information…this sounds like a blast.

Image via Photobucket

Lots of great stuff at the USMNT blog, including an interesting pre-game Pedro Gomez video and a couple players talking about the unique circumstances of tonight’s game.

Goff gives a good rundown of the scene in Havana.

Grant Wahl talks about the mesmerizing strangeness of the country.

Did you know the admission price for this game is 4 cents?

Will the player’s exchange jerseys after the game? Unlikely, says Maykel Galindo, “If someone wants to exchange jerseys, like in the Gold Cup, you can’t because otherwise you won’t have anything to wear for the next match.”

Finally, what are the Cuba Cinco risking by travelling to Cuba…? On a related note, Miss Cuba is hot.

Live on ESPN Classic and Galavision tonight, 09/06/2008 8:00 PM ET. BVSC is always good!

One of the VIVID Original’s, Janine Lindemulder (aka Janine James after being married to Monster Garage’s Jesse James) is in some serious trouble with the Assistant U.S. Attorney after failing to pay taxes and could possibly be facing jail time.

Lindemulder has admitted to making a down payment on a home in Eugene, Oregon and buying two new vehicles while owing more than 200k in Federal Income Taxes.

While being best known for her work as an adult actress, Lindemulder’s appearance on the cover of Blink 182’s Enema of the State and a nurse in their video,  “What’s my name again” in 1999 brought her to the mainstream forefront

image via Photobucket

US Men vs Guatemala tomorrow night, 10pm EST ESPN2.

US Women vs Brazil Thursday morning, 9am EST USA Network.

Let’s Make It Happen!!!

A few weeks ago we saw the MLS start a micro-site devoted to soccer pubs. Today, I see that US Soccer announced a similar program, the Official US Soccer Bar Program.

A good afternoon watching soccer at a quality pub with knowledgeable fans and an exciting atmosphere can take a person from a casual watcher of the game to a true obsessive. There is still a tremendous dearth of soccer-friendly pubs in this country, especially outside large US cities - places that will show the games even at odd hours with a minimum of anti-soccer rhetoric. I like that the USSF and MLS acknowledge this important part of soccer culture.

More More More!!!

American Airlines is charging troops for their extra baggage, a practice that forces soldiers heading for a war zone in Iraq to try to get reimbursement from the military. AA recently charged two soldiers from Texas $100 and $300 for their extra duffel bags.

Not classy…

Image via Myfriendscallmenikkos

Lopez Lomong’s incredible journey from a 6 year old kidnapped Lost Boy to his day carrying the American Flag at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

“I’m here to compete for my country,” Lomong told reporters when they asked questions about human rights. “The Olympics are supposed to bring people together to peacefully blend and I’m looking forward to that and stepping on the track and wearing my colors and representing my country.”

The 23 year old Lomong will compete in the 1500 meter.