USA relishes familiar turf

Freddy Adu was joshing with U.S. teammates when he wasn't working on ball control during a Tuesday workout. WASHINGTON — International games aren't normally seen as an escape from pressure, but the U.S. men were in a comfort zone practicing this week in the shadow of RFK Stadium, where they can clinch a spot on the final round of World Cup qualifying with a win Saturday vs. Cuba. Landon Donovan, whose Galaxy team is on the verge of missing the MLS playoffs, dominated a scrimmage and looked confident with the ball. Freddy Adu, fighting for playing time with new club Monaco, playfully talked trash while taking shots against goalkeeper Brad Guzan. In qualifying, the team already has endured the always difficult trip to Guatemala and shrugged off the novelty of traveling to Cuba. At RFK, the players are on familiar ground. That... [read full story]