Cuban duo defect to USA

The two players were reported to have disappeared from the team's hotel near Washington DC prior to practice the day before the match and the news was confirmed on Cuban television a day later.

"Alcantara and Faife betrayed the unity of the team to succumb to the temptations of the money empire [the United States], therefore they have left the national team," Cuban television announced.

The news of the desertions was broken by the Washington Post, which revealed that the players have been missing for two days and could not be located.

"It's always a problem for the Cuban team," said Cuba coach Reinhold Fanz.

"We have security but you can't handcuff them to their rooms."

Faife and Alcantara were both on the bench for Cuba's 1-0 loss in Havana two months ago to the first American national team to play on Cuban soil since 1947.

Faife came on as a substitute in the second half while Alcantara did not play.

It is not the first desertion of Cuban football players this year as seven under-23 players defected in Tampa during the Olympic qualifying tournament in March.

Cuba were thrashed 6-1 in Washington, a result which ensured the USA moved to the final qualifying tournament.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's Mexico lost 1-0 in Jamaica, but are still expected to progress to the next round.