FIFA: 3 Cuban soccer players defected in Canada

Cuba's Janine Colome (left) heads the ball above Canada's Will Johnson during their FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier, at BMO Field in Toronto, October 12, 2012. Cuba played shorthanded after three team member defected. / GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images

TORONTO Soccer's governing body says the three Cuban soccer players who disappeared before a World Cup qualifier against Canada have defected.

FIFA said in an email the players defected Thursday, one day before the game.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection would not confirm reports the men tried to cross into the United States at the Niagara Falls border point.

Tom Rusert, a spokesman for the customs and border protection agency, said no arrests were made in relation to this case. He cited privacy concerns for not providing further information.

The defecting players left Cuban coach Alexander Gonzalez with only 11 players on his team. He said another player was ill and didn't make it to the game, which Canada won 3-0.

On Friday, Gonzalez lamented the departures of the missing players.

"As with any Cuban sport team that travels around the world, they're all chasing the American dream," he said. "And it's difficult to try to keep the team together. ... Obviously it's a difficult situation for the team and it's tough for me to talk about it."

Canada beat Cuba 3-0 in the match.

Last January, two players with the Cuban women's team defected following a match against Canada in Vancouver.

[HumbertoCapiro]

YOUTUBE ENTIRE DOCUMENTARY: "Grandchildren of the Cuban Revolution" - The Grandchildren of the Revolution gives the youth a voice to share their feelings of hope and despair. Some speak with humor, many do it in defiance. The film tries to capture the vibe of Cubas youth today. Featuring artists like: Los Aldeanos, Porno para Ricardo, Silvito El Libre and bloggers Claudia Cadelo, Yoani Sanchez and Laritza Diversent, the film was directed by Carlos Montaner with the help of young camera men and women who visited the island throughout a span of several months. SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUB-TITLES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KVqUrOBiQQ

[HumbertoCapiro]

YOUTUBE: DOCUMENTARY: "Cuba and the Elephants" - Full version w / English Sub-titles: A Look at Cuba, in reality beyond its tourist attractions. A documentary that takes us to reflect on the achievements of the socialist system and how truly the common Cuban people live. A production of the Political Institute of Peru for Liberty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCIk66EPIV4&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL9241B0E7F766DBA0&fb_source=message

[HumbertoCapiro]

YOUTUBE ENTIRE DOCUMENTARY: "Grandchildren of the Cuban Revolution" - The Grandchildren of the Revolution gives the youth a voice to share their feelings of hope and despair. Some speak with humor, many do it in defiance. The film tries to capture the vibe of Cubas youth today. Featuring artists like: Los Aldeanos, Porno para Ricardo, Silvito El Libre and bloggers Claudia Cadelo, Yoani Sanchez and Laritza Diversent, the film was directed by Carlos Montaner with the help of young camera men and women who visited the island throughout a span of several months. SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUB-TITLES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KVqUrOBiQQ

[daffy64]

"As with any Cuban sport team that travels around the world, they're all chasing the American dream," he said.

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Uh...wouldn't that be the "Canadian Dream"?