BALTIMORE — The moment that perhaps best encapsulated the nonchalance with which the United States men’s national soccer team dismissed Cuba here on Saturday afternoon occurred in the 64th minute, after the referee had awarded the Americans a penalty kick.
In a sequence notable for its lack of tension, Clint Dempsey skipped slowly up to the penalty spot, allowed the Cuban goalkeeper to tumble helplessly toward the right post, and softly chipped the ball straight into the middle of the goal. After hopping a few inches off the ground and pumping his fist modestly near his waist, Dempsey received some pats on the back from his teammates.