Cuba returns to the Gold Cup for the fourth straight time -- a record for a Caribbean team -- having finished third at the 2007 Caribbean championship.

Coach Raul Gonzalez's goal is to reach the quarterfinals, though Cuba finds itself the underdog in arguably the toughest group with four-time Gold Cup champion Mexico, 2005 runner-up Panama and Honduras.

The strength of the Cuban team is its backline, led by captain Yenier Marquez. Gonzalez has been criticized for his conservative approach. His top forward is Lester More, who is playing in his third Gold Cup. More was the hero of Cuba's only victory in 10 Gold Cup games. He scored both goals when Cuba beat Canada, 2-0, at the 2003 Gold Cup.

GOLD CUP RECORD:
Appearances: 4.
Record: 1 wins, 8 losses, 1 ties

CUBA ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Julio Aldama (Matanzas), Odelin Molina (Villa Clara), Dany Luis Quintero (Cienfuegos);
Defenders: Yusvanys Caballeros (Ciudad Habana), Jorge Luis Clavelo (Villa Clara), Jaime Colome (Ciudad Habana), Joel Colome (Ciudad Habana), Reysander Fernandez (Ciego de Avila), Yenier Marquez (Villa Clara), Silvio Pedro Minoso (Villa Clara);
Midfielders: Osvaldo Alonso (Pinar del Rio), Gisbel Morales (Pinar del Rio), Enrique Villaurrutia (Cienfuegos);
Forwards: Reynier Alcatara (Pinar del Rio), Alain Cervantes (Ciego de Avila), Leonel Duarte (Ciego de Avila), Pedro Adriani Faife (Villa Clara), Ariel Martinez (Sancti Spartus), Lester More (Ciego de Avila), Adonis Ramos (Granma).
Coach: Raul GONZALEZ.