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The New York Cosmos will kick off a new era in sporting relations between the United States and Cuba today when they become the first American sports team in 16 years to play in the Communist-ruled island.
Brazilian legend Pele is to join the New York soccer team's travelling party for the match against the Cuban national team at the Pedro Marrero Stadium in Havana.
The fixture reflects the rapidly thawing ties between the United States and Cuba following moves to normalise relations between the former cold war foes after a bitter five-decade schism.
The rapprochement has already shown several signs of extending into the sporting arena.
We went down [to Washington], very quietly, and they were immediately supportive. It's sort of cliché to talk about 'ping pong diplomacy', but they picked up on that immediately. They were all on board right away
Erik Stover, Cosmos chief
Cuban officials announced last week that the Baltimore Orioles - the last professional US team to play in Cuba back in 1999 - would return later this year to play against the national team.
And Cuba's state-controlled television took the unprecedented step of televising a Major League Baseball game involving a Cuban player, Kendrys Morales, in the Kansas City Royals game with the Texas Rangers.
It was the first time Cuba had screened a match involving one of its legion of MLB players, who are, officially at least, barred from playing in the United States and often portrayed as "deserters".
Planning for tonight's match began earlier this year, when the Cosmos sounded out officials in the United States and Cuba about the possibility.
"It became pretty real pretty fast, and we had to just take the steps in good order and get everybody on board. Whether it was the State Department, Justice Department, White House," said Cosmos chief executive Erik Stover.
"We went down [to Washington], very quietly, and they were immediately supportive," he added. "It's sort of cliché to talk about 'ping pong diplomacy', but they picked up on that immediately. They were all on board right away."
The project gathered pace when Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese travelled to Jamaica in January and met Cuban officials on the sidelines of regional qualifiers for the Under-20 World Cup.
"I had the chance to come to the president of the Cuban national federation, and I said 'We would like to play a match against you'. At the beginning, he said 'Okay, let's talk about it. Where are you coming from?'
"I said 'New York, and we are the New York Cosmos'. His eyes opened up."
We are extremely privileged and honoured 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
Seamus O'Brien, Cosmos chairman
For the Cosmos, the match is in keeping with their evocative history, a nod to their 1970s heyday when they lit up the North American Soccer League with stars such as Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia.
Though the Cosmos do not play in the biggest US league, Major League Soccer, they remain one of the most globally recognised brands in US football.
They have played friendlies in Hong Kong and El Salvador already this year; Cuba will be the 42nd country the team have visited. "This happened naturally, very quickly," said Cosmos chairman Seamus O'Brien. "There was instant reciprocity from both sides, wanting to do the game.
"We are extremely privileged and honoured 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."


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Cuba

Pele and New York Cosmos play Cuba in Havana amid improving US relations

Pele arrives at Jose Marti Airport in Havana, Cuba, with the New York Cosmos, who are playing against the national team. Photo: AFP

New York Cosmos players disembark from the plane after arriving in Cuba. Photo: EPA

Sport

Football

Famed New York club are the first sports team from America in 16 years to play in the Communist country


The New York Cosmos will kick off a new era in sporting relations between the United States and Cuba on Tuesday when they become the first American sports team in 16 years to play in the Communist-ruled island.


Pele and New York Cosmos play Cuba in Havana amid improving US relations

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Famed New York club are the first sports team from America in 16 years to play in the Communist country

Famed New York club are the first sports team from America in 16 years to play in the Communist country