Cuba defeats Antigua and Barbuda in 1st leg, 4-3

[TheGift]

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (AP)—Cuba gained a 4-3 victory at Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday night in the first leg of a World Cup qualifier that likely will determine a U.S. opponent in the regional semifinals.

Second-half substitute Leonel Pla scored a tiebreaking goal in the 85th minute for Cuba, which hosts Antigua on Sunday in the second leg of the total-goals series. Jaine Valencia (10th and 74th minutes), and Yoel Colome (22nd) also scored for the Cubans.

Kerry Skepple (ninth and 13th minutes) and Tylo Simon (81st) scored for underdog Antigua.

The United States defeated Barbados 8-0 at home Sunday in the first leg of its series and plays at Barbados this Sunday. Two other teams will join the semifinal group, with Guatemala taking a 6-0 lead into its second leg against St. Lucia, which will be played in Los Angeles, and Trinidad and Tobago trying to overcome a 2-1 deficit when it travels to Bermuda.

Cuba defeats Antigua 4-3 in World Cup qualifier - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports