Schwartz: Cosmos, Cuba To Meet In Match Of Historic Proportions

By Peter Schwartz
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Over 50 years ago, the relationship between the United States and Cuba changed.

From a sports perspective, relations were affected in 1960 when Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro nationalized all United States-owned enterprises in Cuba. That move prompted Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick, under pressure from U.S. Secretary of State Christian Herter, to relocate the Triple-A Havana Sugar Kings, a Cincinnati Reds affiliate, from Cuba to Jersey City.

Then, in the fall of 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower imposed a trade embargo with Cuba and followed that up in January 1961 by breaking off diplomatic relations.

It would be a while before an American team returned to Havana. In March of 1978, the Chicago Sting of the original North American Soccer League became the first United States club to play in Cuba since Fidel Castro's takeover when they played an exhibition match against the Cuban National Team.

Then, in 1999, the Baltimore Orioles became the first baseball team to play in Cuba since the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in 1960 when they defeated the Cuban National Team 3-2.

The ballgame took place despite objections from the State Department, but an agreement was reached where the proceeds went to fund baseball programs in Cuba and not to the Cuban government, because that would have been a violation of the embargo.

Fast forward more than half a century since relations ended between the two countries and things have changed again.

In a surprise announcement this past December, President Barack Obama ordered the restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba, a move that came after 18 months of secret talks. "We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries," he said.

The decision to restore relations with Cuba opened the door for a United States club to visit Havana without any limitations.

It was said that the Boston Red Sox wanted to be that team, but Cuba apparently preferred a soccer club. Enter the New York Cosmos.

At a press conference in Manhattan on Monday, the Cosmos announced that they will play the Cuban National Team in a friendly match at Pedro Marrero Stadium in Havana on June 2. The Cosmos will be the first American sports team on Cuban soil in 16 years.

"We are honored to be the first professional team in sports to visit Cuba since President Obama's historic opening of diplomatic relations,"  Cosmos chairman Seamus O'Brien said. "We hope the Cosmos can once again be a leader for New York and help create further opportunities in the future."

The Cosmos are no strangers to playing exhibition matches in other countries. In fact, Cuba will be the 42nd different country that the club has visited. Back in the 1970s and 80s, the Cosmos' popularity in New York and around the world exploded thanks to the acquisitions of players like Pele, Giorgio Chinaglia and Franz Beckenbauer.

As excited as the Cosmos are for this opportunity, Cuba is also pumped up to welcome perhaps the most well-known franchise in United States soccer history.

"The Cuban people love soccer and can't wait to see our teams meet on the field," said Cuban Football Association coach Walter Benitez. "This will be a game for the ages."

As the current day Cosmos prepare for their 2015 season, they have made preseason trips to Hong Kong and El Salvador, beating South China 3-2 while losing to C.D. FAS 1-0.

But for the players who have become world travelers, the trip to Cuba in June will be both special and historical.

"It's going to be a great match," said Cosmos defender and captain Carlos Mendes. "We are all very proud. It's an honor to represent the Cosmos and we are all looking forward to it."

The match came about after a meeting in Jamaica back in January.

Officials from the NASL and CONCACAF arranged for Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese to meet with Cuban National Team General Secretary Yero Luis. Savarese proposed the match and Luis jumped at the opportunity.

"His eyes opened up," Savarese said. "We are definitely excited for this opportunity. It's an historic moment."

Sports certainly has a way of bringing a country together as we witnessed in 1980 with the USA hockey team's win over the Soviet Union at the Olympics. Sports can also bring nations together and this upcoming match between the Cosmos and Cuba is an example of that.

So that begs the question: is this game about soccer or politics?

"The most important thing is soccer," Savarese said. "We are going there to compete. We hope it'll be a good show of soccer."

On the pitch, it's a friendly soccer match. Off the pitch, it could be a whole lot more.

"We are extremely privileged and honored to accept this opportunity and hope that our match will be an important step forward in growing the popularity of the global game in Cuba and improving relations between the two nations, and two cities," O'Brien said.

How significant is this game?

Monday's press conference to announce the historic match not only featured representatives of the two teams but it also drew the attendance of U.S. Congressmen Charles Rangel and Gregory Meeks. The game is also drawing interest from multiple television networks. The Cosmos' broadcast partner One World Sports will air the game as well as another network in the United States.

Relations between the United States and Cuba have certainly come a long way since the early 60s. Diplomatic relations have been restored and now relations between the two countries are about to resume on the playing field.

The Cosmos were a global sensation back in the day. It's only fitting, as part of their ongoing reincarnation as a soccer power, that they get the ball rolling in this match against Cuba.

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter at @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow the New York Cosmos: @NYCosmos.