Jurgen Klinsmann was critical of the pitch in Havana as United States beat Cuba 2-0, but was full of praise for Chris Wondolowski.
San Jose Earthquakes forward Wondolowski scored the first goal just after the hour, before setting up Julian Green for the second on 71 minutes.
"The field was a field that was not playable," U.S. coach Klinsmann said. "On that field, it's impossible to get a higher rhythm, a higher tempo, higher pace.
"We knew that is was going to be difficult on this field."
Wondolowski scored the 11th goal of his international career as United States continued its preparations ahead of the first game of the final round of World Cup qualifying. It plays Mexico in Columbus, Ohio on Nov. 11.
"Wondo is a huge part of our group, because he's a giver and every time you ask him something to do, he does it 1,000 percent, so he drives the chemistry of a team, the energy of a team," Klinsmann added.
Wondolowski agreed that the pitch had not helped United States to find its rhythm.
"Not easy conditions with travel, field and weather," Wondolowski said. "At halftime, we had a little bit more adjustments, a little bit more direct, and didn't want to make silly passes in the middle where you could lose it and get counterattacked on."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report