NY Cosmos to be first U.S. pro team to play in Cuba in 16 years

By foxsports
Published

The New York Cosmos will be the first United States professional sports team to play in Cuba in 16 years and the first to make the trip since the annoucement of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries in December.

Cuban Soccer Association vice president Antonio Garces confirmed Tuesday that the Cosmos, a team in the NASL - the U.S. second division, will play in Cuba on June 2 in preparation for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

He called it ''a great step, very beneficial for our soccer.''

The last U.S. soccer club to visit the island were the Chicago Sting in 1978. 

The Cosmos, who are now home to Spanish greats Raul and Marcos Senna, were one of several American pro sports teams in the running to be the first to travel to the Caribbean island. Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles were reportedly looking to schedule spring exhibition games.