Cuban Players Reportedly Defect to U.S.

Tampa, Fla. -- Five members of Cuba's Under-23 national soccer team have reportedly defected to the United States.

In addition, ESPN said two other team members also left the Cuban national team.
Cuba, in Florida for an Olympic qualifying tournament, played the United States to a 1-1 tie on Tuesday. It was after that game that the players reportedly left
the team.

Cuban officials haven't officially identified which players are involved.

However, if seven players have defected, Cuba would be left with only 10 players available for its game against Honduras because Roberto Linares was given a red card during the U.S. game.

A Cuban men's soccer team last qualified for the Olympics in 1980.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.