The US Under-23 Men's National Team opened up 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Cuba in Tampa on Tuesday night.

Freddy Adu almost put the US up in the second minute, but his shot went off the post. Adu had another opportunity a few minutes later when his shot from 25 yards out forced the keeper to make a diving save.

In the 14th minute, Robbie Findley received a short corner from Adu and then fed it back. The Benfica ace ran into the box and found the back of the net with a powerful shot.

Adu continued his strong play in the 31st minute when his free kick from 25 yards out forced a fingertip save from Cuba keeper Jose Manuel Miranda.

After controlling most of the first half, the US gave up a goal in the 42nd minute. Leonel Duarte got the ball to Yordany Alvarez, who took a shot which was redirected into the goal by Roberto Linares. The scorer then received a yellow card for an excessive celebration.

Despite excellent play from Freddy Adu and Dax McCarty, the game was 1-1 at the half. Jozy Altidore got nicked up and was subbed out for Sacha Kljestan at the start of the second half.

"Jozy got knocked a couple times," coach Piotr Nowak said after the match. "We did talk to our doctors, and talked to Jozy. There's some precautionary stuff as we have another two games. Hopefully, he'll be ready for Thursday."

Adu set up a chance early in the second half when his in-swinging free kick from just outside the box found Patrick Ianni, who headed it just wide.

The #10 shirt then almost scored on a one-time shot from the top of the box that was set up by Maurice Edu, but it went wide of the post.

The US continued to look for a goal late in the game. McCarty forced the keeper to make a diving save off a long range shot in the 70th minute. Shortly thereafter, McCarty put in a ball for Chad Barrett, who crossed to Findley for a shot on goal that was too high.

After Cuba went down to 10 men when Linares received his second yellow card, the US had one more chance in the 90th minute, but Adu's free kick went over the bar.

The match ended and the Cuban players celebrated as if they won and the US in regret over their finishing.

"We had a good side and we put the pressure on the Cuban team," said Nowak. "We got the goal that we needed. All we need to is to keep our shape. I think in terms of the tournament, this is just the first game so we should play better and we could play better."

The US is tied with Cuba in second place in Group A, two points behind Honduras. They now take on Panama on Thursday. The top two teams in the group will advance to the next stage of qualifying.

Scoring
USA - Freddy Adu 1 (Robbie Findley) 14'
CUBA - Roberto Linares 1 (Yordany Alvarez) 42'

Line-ups
USA - Chris Seitz; Patrick Ianni, Nathan Sturgis, Hunter Freeman, Charlie Davies (Chad Barrett 61'), Dax McCarty, Maurice Edu, Robbie Findley (Eddie Gaven 77'), Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore (Sacha Kljestan 46')

CUBA - Jose Manuel Miranda; Erlys Garcia Baro, Yenier Bermudez, Yendry Diaz, Juan Carlos Martinez (Loanni Cartaya 53'), Livan Vasconcelos (Eder Roldan 72'), Alianni Urgelles, Enrique Villarruta, Yordany Alvarez (Yasnier Rosales 74'), Roberto Linares, Leonel Duarte