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“It was interesting, certainly - it’s something to tell the kids,” DeAndre Yedlin replies as a smirk creeps on to his face. “We just didn’t know what to expect.”

A full 55 years after President John F Kennedy severed all diplomatic ties between his country and Communist Cuba, the USA national football - or ‘soccer’ - team found themselves arriving in Havana for a friendly at Estadio Pedro Marrero.

They were mobbed by locals in the Cuban capital; a population cut off from capitalism for more than half a century were now welcoming professional footballers into their city.

One of them was Newcastle United right-back Yedlin, who could scarcely believe what was happening. Cuba had been a taboo subject in America for so long; now he was stood in the middle of the country’s capital.

“We were heading into the unknown, it was surreal,” Yedlin admits.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

“But the Cuban people were very nice to us - they were asking questions about America, they kept saying: ‘How is it there?’

“I know they were very grateful for the game, and to be able to have been part of such a historic match like that is something you’ll always remember. It’s something you can tell your kids about.

“I was very fortunate and honoured to be a part of that game.”

That was October 7. Fast-forward little more than a month, and the Magpie was back on international duty.

Yet this time it was on US soil, just four days after Donald Trump had shocked the world by winning the presidential election - partly on the promise that a wall would be built across the Mexican border, paid for by their near-neighbours.

Now Yedlin found himself in Columbus, Ohio, introduced as a 74th-minute substitute into a match against Mexico which, not only vitriolic in terms of atmosphere, was global headline news.

“Again it was interesting, but in a very different way,” the 23-year-old explains, recalling the fact some of the Mexican squad had promised “revenge” ahead of the game following Trump’s comments that migrants from across the border were “rapists” and “murderers”.

“As much as we could we tried to put it to one side as players, obviously it was national news – international news even – so it’s not going to leave your head completely.

“But everybody tried to push it aside, tried to play the match as just another game of football and just focused on that.”

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

In an attempt to stem rising tensions, a ‘union wall’ was formed by both sets of players before the game. Thankfully, some of the focus returned to the football pitch.

“Obviously Mexico are a very good team, and I know that before the game we had a picture of the US and Mexican players together showing the continued relationship between the two countries.

“I think that was pretty cool.

“It was a tough game; we haven’t started the qualifiers the way we’d like to, but hopefully we can get back on track.”

And qualification has certainly not gone according to plan so far. The USA are bottom of their six-team CONCACAF qualification group having lost both of their opening matches.

Such poor form even led to the dismissal of Jurgen Klinsmann who, for so long, has been Yedlin’s mentor.

During a five-year reign as USA boss, Klinsmann brought an ‘identity’ to the side - and helped Yedlin to discover his own.

“People obviously knew a little about the US team before, but now everyone does,” Yedlin adds.

“Especially with our run at the 2014 World Cup when we were in the ‘Group of Death’; we got out of that and then came very close to beating one of the best sides in the world in Belgium.

“It kind of opened people’s eyes that America is moving along, making strides and progressing with football.

“Obviously Jurgen was a big part of that.

“For me personally he showed his trust in me, brought me to the World Cup at such a young age when I didn’t expect that.

“I have 43 caps, all under him - he showed that trust and confidence in me.

“I can’t thank him enough because I don’t think I’d be in the position I’m in today without his help and his trust.”

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

The German is not the only big personality to have managed Yedlin since his first foray to England two years ago.

First Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur, who “demanded so much from every player”.

Then Sam Allardyce at Sunderland; “a very different coach but someone who helped me improve defensively, especially positionally.”

Yedlin admits that while Allardyce’s defensive drills - at least twice a week, without fail - “sucked” at the time, they have helped improve one of the weakest elements of his game.

Now though, with Klinsmann’s influence gone - and, in truth, by the end their relationship had become a little strained, with the German accusing Yedlin of failing to perform at two training camps - it is the figure of Rafa Benitez who is helping the 23-year-old towards his undoubted potential.

“Tactically he is up there with the very best, certainly he’s the best I’ve worked with,” Yedlin - with his bleached-blond hair, something he decided to opt for along with team-mate Yoan Gouffran “just for something different really” - says of the Spaniard.

“Every day, whatever drill we’re doing, we are focusing on something tactically.

“I think everybody now has a good foundation of knowledge as to where we are supposed to be on the pitch at specific times, how we’re supposed to play and the like.

“That’s why the team has been clicking. We know what he wants from us.”

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

And it’s not just the team Benitez is improving. Regularly this season, Benitez has taken Yedlin to one side after training sessions and given him individual, targeted advice during half-hour meetings.

“For a head coach to come and take you to one side to spend 30 minutes or so chatting to you about positioning, tactics or how you can improve, that’s unique,” Yedlin continues, with a look of genuine amazement on his face.

“Usually that’s the assistants or other coaches who do that; but for the head coach to do it really shows how much he cares and how much he wants to help.

“As a player, especially a younger one, it gives you loads of confidence and makes you want to do your best for him.”

Benitez’s reputation precedes him, and the Spaniard has certainly lived up to Yedlin’s expectations.

As has Newcastle: the club, and the city.

Sunderland expressed tentative interest in a permanent move - “there were definite talks” - while Aston Villa and Norwich City were among the other clubs to cast envious glances in the right-back’s direction last summer.

Why then trade Tottenham, who had just narrowly missed out on the Premier League title, for a club who had just been relegated?

“It’s not a step down as some people might say; it’s just the next step in my career,” Yedlin says affirmatively.

(Image: Newcastle United)

“There’s a saying that sometimes you need to take one step backwards to take two steps forward.

“When I looked at the situation at Newcastle, it’s a team that has a very good chance of going straight back up, with a great coach, a very good squad and it’s a great club.

“I knew that if I came here, could get my foot in the door and if we do go back up then I’ve got myself established at a Premier League club with huge potential, and I know the area and the coach knows me well.

“I saw it as a great situation so ultimately I’m very happy with the move.”

Yedlin certainly appears content on Tyneside.

While his hairstyle may have been ever-changing during the first half of the campaign - the American is adamant he will allow his current bleached ‘do’ to “grow out” until the summer - the rest of Yedlin’s life appears settled.

Yedlin enjoys eating out in the city’s restaurants, with Japanese food a particular favourite.

Osaka and Aveika are two of his more-regular haunts, along with Piccolino, Fratelli and a whole series of Newcastle’s Indian restaurants.

“I’m going to keep trying as many restaurants as I can,” Yedlin adds, entirely sincerely.

Interestingly, the former Seattle Sounder was encouraged to join United by former Magpie Obafemi Martins and, given that he already knew the area from his time at Sunderland, he took little persuading.

“In London, like New York, people tend to be a little more dismissive I think.

“People are friendlier up here, it’s a similar size city than London, and I really like the North East.

“It feels like Seattle in so many ways.

“The fans know football, they’re knowledgeable and love to chat. It’s cool for them to recognise me because in a way they look up to me and Newcastle players.

“They’re passionate about the club and it’s great they show that much passion to us.”

Newcastle is now “like a second home”, Yedlin stresses, a sentiment he has expressed before.

But, as settled as he may be at the moment, contentment will only arrive for Yedlin once promotion is achieved this season.

Though he believes Newcastle have done “really well” so far this term, Yedlin acknowledges that the Magpies’ form has stuttered in recent weeks.

However, unwavering belief in the direction Benitez is taking the club means the 43-cap international is confident he will be back in the Premier League next season.

“The manager likes to stay pretty even keel no matter how we’re doing; he doesn’t let us keep our lows too low or our highs too high.

“It’s just one of those things where if you’re winning all the time, it’s great. But at the end of the day losses are always just around the corner.

“You always want to stay as balanced as you can and he makes sure we do that.

“We are confident we’re still firmly on track.”

Then, with one final smile, Yedlin finishes: “We can save the excitement for when we get promoted at the end of the year.”