体坛英语新闻：Cuba aims to improve in 2013 Concacaf Gold Cup

HAVANA, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Veterans will lead the national team of Cuba in the opening game against Costa Rica in the 2013 Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Gold Cup on Tuesday.

The game will be played in Jeld-Wen stadium in Portland, Oregon when the competition is to be held in 13 cities of the United States from July 9-28.

In the Cuban team, led by Walter Benitez, two veterans stand out - goalkeeper Odelin Molina and midfielder Yenier Marquez, who attend their 6th Gold Cup. Team captain Jorge Luis Clavelo attends the tournament for the 4th time.

Local experts said the possible lineup will include goalkeeper Molina and defenders Aliannis Urgelle, Renay Malblanche, Clavelo and Joel Colome.

Also, Marquez, Jaime Colome, Alberto Gomez and Ariel Martinez as midfielders, together with forwards Miguel Angel Sanchez and Yoandri Puga, are probably the lineup.

Costa Rica's possible lineup includes Patrick Pemberton, Giacarlo Gonzalez, Michael Umana, Carlos Johnson, Junior Diaz, Ariel Rodriguez, Celso Borges, Kenny Cunningham, Oswaldo Rodriguez, Jairo Arrieta and Alvaro Saborio.

Costa Rica is a tough rival for Cuba, who is not a soccer power and has not held international training matches.

Cuba teams have played six times in the competition with the best result of the eighth finishing in 2003.