Cuba Si! Yanquis Si!

Cuba-USA in Seattle Gold Cup 2005
I have started a quixotic project (is there nothing finer?) than to lobby the US Soccer Federation to get legal permission for a small group of US Men's National Team Supporters to accompany the same team to Havana in September of this year when (in all probablility, as both teams face tiny Caribbean teams in early qualifiers)the Yanks and the Cubes will face off in a CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Qualifying fixture. Here is the skinny so far. According to Steve Goff at the Washington Post:

"USSF President Sunil Gulati and Secretary General Dan Flynn said a few weeks ago that they have been trying to persuade the State Dept. and Cuban government into allowing as many supporters as possible to attend the qualifier in Havana. However, they said they are not optimistic that very many will be permitted to enter the country."

What they need a shove from ALL USMNT supporters, regardless of what they think of the politics or the pros/cons of the embargo, as simple show of force. So here is my letter to the USSF, followed by one to Senator Barack Obama's office. 'Barry' is the Senator from Illinois, the same state as USSF HQ and has hinted broadly he would engage a post-Fidel Cuba. So here's a chance for him to put his money where his mouth is. Please post comments and get on board. See you in Havana!


U.S. Soccer Federation
1801 S. Prairie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 808-1300
Fax: (312) 808-1301
Email to http://www.ussoccer.com/contact/index.jsp.html
Dear Sirs:
As a USMNT supporter who has been to two World Cups and several WC Qualifiers, both home and away, I would like to ask the USSF what your office plans to do to accommodate the wishes of numerous US supporters who have stated their intention to support our team when it (most likely) will play the national team of the Republic of Cuba this Fall?
We are all aware that a strict economic embargo is in effect, limiting travel and financial transactions with that country. However, should the USSF decide to support the fans who wish to travel to Cuba to cheer our team on, you could do the following.: 1. Apply to the State Department for a cultural exchange permit for a small group of US supporters (200-300) to accompany the team. 2. Arrange for a charter flight that could fly the group in (on the same schedule as our team) and out of Cuba.
Your support for a legal group of US Supporters travelling to Cuba would eliminate the chance of Americans travelling to Cuba through 3rd countries on their own, thus breaking U.S. laws and running the risk being charged and fined by US Customs upon their return for the simple reason that they wanted to cheer on an American soccer team participating the FIFA World Cup Qualifying round. American soccer has friends in the House and Senate who could support any move you make on this project. Even President Bush called the team before our match against Mexico in 2002 so perhaps he could be asked to intervene personally in this matter and lift the restrictions just this one time.
Cuba is at a turning point in its history. I remember a certain American table tennis team that was instrumental in opening up the People’s Republic of China in 1970. A group of American soccer supporters could perhaps do just the same thing in 2008.
Sincerely,
Sven A.Serrano
Setsunan University,
Osaka Japan