Major Link Soccer: USMNT schedule first friendly in Cuba in 69 years

USA Soccer

The US Mens National Team will be Havana friendly in Cuba for the first time since 1947, after diplomatic relations between the nations were restored last year. The match is scheduled for October 7th (after the next round of World Cup qualifiers) at Estadio Pedro Marrero in the Cuban capital.

As summer transfer windows the world over are about to open, Stars and Stripes FC takes a look at the USMNT players most likely to be on the move, from DeAndre Yedlin to Gyasi Zardes to Oguchi Onyewu (!)

Also from Stars and Stripes, this excellent piece considers why, even in this time of transition, the roster for the US Women has shown so little turnover and featured so few players. There seems to be little competition for spots, with transitions happening almost instantly. Why is the US women's player pool still so small?

The US U20 MNT defeated Costa Rica 2-0 at a four-team invitational in Carson, California. Victor Mansaray entered the match in the 84th minute.

US defender John Brooks returned to Hertha Berlin, and his sprained knee was given a look by the team doctors there. They let him off the hook for rehab, saying he could go on the scheduled three-week holiday and recover on his own.

Speaking of recovering from knee injuries, Carli Lloyd is almost back to 100 percent. She tells AP that, while the sprain was unfortunate timing for her club team, the last 10 weeks have been a much-needed rest after a pretty insane year for the World Cup hero and FIFA Women's Player of the Year.

Major League Soccer

Ashley Cole received two yellows from Kevin Stott in short succession in the LA Galaxy's match against the San Jose Earthquakes, and instead of leaving the field he tried to go hide among his fellow players as they prepared to defend against a Quakes free kick. After much pointing at Cole and then the sideline by Stott, the 35-year-old finally relented. The MLS disciplinary committee levied a fine against him for his long delay of the game.

Not precisely MLS-related, but here is some Voyageurs Cup (Canadian Championship) history/trivia! A complete list of every goal scorer in the cup. Fun fact: Marco di Vaio and Dider Drogba are the two oldest-ever goal scorers in the cups history.

It would appear the Timbers are losing players. Dairon Asprilla may be headed to Millonarios in Colombia (Fredy Montero's former home) on a yearlong loan. [Spanish]

World

The Premier League's Southampton FC have a new manager in the form of Frenchman Claude Puel. He comes over from Ligue 1 (OGC Nice).

Yes, the Zlatan has made the big move. Manchester United got the Swedish striker on a free transfer, but are likely paying him a somewhat ridiculous wage. But, he's the Zlatan, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down much with age, at least not yet.

Soccer to watch today:

(All times PST)

UEFA Euro Quarterfinal - Wales vs. Belgium: 12 PM, ESPN2, WatchESPN

MLS - Chicago Fire vs. San Jose Earthquakes: 5 PM, Unimás, Univision Deportes

MLS - Real Salt Lake vs. DC United: 7:30 PM, Unimás, Univision Deportes

NWSL - Western New York Flash vs. Chicago Red Stars: 4 PM, Youtube

USL - Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Arizona United: 5:30 PM, ESPN3, Youtube