Photo by ISIphotos.com
Wednesday is most notable in U.S. Soccer circles because of the men's national team's friendly in Italy, but teams on three of the federation's other levels will be in action as well.
The women's national team kicks off its quest for a third consecutive Algarve Cup championship in Portugal, the U-23 men's team faces Mexico in the final friendly leading into next month's CONCACAF Olympic qualifying and the U-20 men's team faces the Montreal Impact reserves as Tab Ramos continues guiding his current camp down in Florida. All of the games happen to be staggered timewise, meaning it's possible to keep up with multiple facets of U.S. Soccer throughout the day.
Here is a closer look at all of Wednesday's U.S. Soccer matches:
U.S. MEN VS. ITALY
WHEN: 2:30 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN3.com/Galavision
Jurgen Klinsmann seeks his fourth win in a row against perhaps the stiffest competition he has faced yet as manager, as the U.S. men go after their first-ever win against the Azzurri (0-7-3 all-time).
Injuries have depleted Klinsmann's roster, with potential starters Landon Donovan, Jose Torres, Timmy Chandler and Jermaine Jones all withdrawing from taking part in the friendly. Oguchi Onyewu injuring his knee just days before the roster announcement prevented him from participating as well.
As a result of the injuries, Brek Shea and Sacha Kljestan were called in for the match, the final one before a three-game stretch starting in late May that leads into World Cup qualifying. Considering who he now has at his disposal, Klinsmann's lineup choice should be intriguing. With Shea able to man the left flank, it could provide the versatile Fabian Johnson with an opportunity to play at left back, where he has performed for Hoffenheim.
U.S. WOMEN VS. DENMARK
WHEN: 12 p.m.
The U.S. women are in search of their ninth Algarve Cup title and their third in a row, but this year's field will provide stiff resistance. Pia Sundhage's side kicks things off against Denmark, a team that the U.S. women have beaten in the Algarve Cup eight straight times.
It will only get more difficult for Abby Wambach, Hope Solo & Co., as they'll face Norway two days later and Japan in a rematch of the World Cup final three days after that in a competitive Group B. The winner of the group will face the winner of Group A (Germany, Sweden, Iceland, China) in the championship game on March 7, meaning the U.S. women can play up to four top-notch opponents in an eight-day stretch.
After appearing primarily as a reserve in past competitions, Alex Morgan seems poised for a starting role alongside Wambach. The 22-year-old forward was stationed there for a closed-door friendly against China on Saturday. The other lineup decision to keep an eye on is how Sundhage molds her back line, which has been a point of contention since right back Ali Krieger tore her ACL and MCL during the opening game of Olympic qualifying.
U.S. U-23 MEN VS. MEXICO
WHEN: 10 p.m., Univision
Caleb Porter's U-23 side concludes its latest training camp with a rivalry match against Mexico at FC Dallas Stadium.
With Terrence Boyd and Shea getting called into the senior national team, the opportunities are there for other attacking players to step up and stake their claim for a place on next month's Olympic qualifying roster.
The match also presents a chance for the late-arriving players to get their feet wet. Players like Joe Gyau, Joe Corona, Sebastian Lletget, Mix Diskerud and Alfredo Morales just arrived over the weekend, and they'll look to get integrated into the lineup against a Mexico side that will feature the likes of striker Marco Fabian and Mexican-Americans Miguel Angel Ponce and Ricardo Bocanegra.
An MLS-heavy side has guided the U-23s to victories over FC Dallas and the San Antonio Scorpions during camp so far. Shea was a big part of both wins, scoring goals in both games.
U.S. U-20 MEN VS. MONTREAL IMPACT RESERVES
WHEN: 10:30 a.m.
Three days after playing the FC Dallas reserves to a 2-2 draw, the U-20s get another crack at MLS opposition by facing the Impact.
Daniel Cuevas and Villyan Bijev scored against FCD for the U-20s, who are in the process of building cohesion leading into qualifying for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The match against the Impact will be the final scrimmage of the camp, which ends on March 1.
Of note in U-20 camp is that Molde FK left back Sean Cunningham withdrew because of an injury and club commitments, and he was replaced by Javan Torre, who plays in the Los Angeles Galaxy academy.
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Excited for all the various U.S. Soccer action? How do you see Wednesday's games unfolding?
Share your thoughts below.
Mexico v Colombia 1st, then the USA U-23 v Mexico
That photo’s incredible, especially when you click on it and see the detail. It says ISIphotos.com but I wonder who the actual photographer is.
DirectTV guide says Mexico-Colombia friendly tomorrow night.. hope that’s incorrect and we get the U-23- Mexico game
lol, fair enough.
I’m in Memphis. I hope you’re right cuz I’ll be at work and will just set “blind recordings” and hope I successfully record the game.
I know just making a bit of an attempted joke on the artistic look of the pic lol
Jozy is thinking to himself….”Is this what Landon feels like all the time?”
Cannot wait for USA to beat Mexico U-23!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liar!!!!!
hah
dude, I know they weren’t pissed. just saying they LOOK pissed.
Yep.
It will be there, no worries Univision has been promoting the hell out of it during the weekend Mexican League Matches and at night in their Local and National News broadcasts as well as in their dumb Novelas from what I been told, got family that watch Univision at night so they will show it, what part of the country will you be in?
They’re not pissed off, they are relieved and CONCENTRATED since I believe it was their 3rd goal of the night! HA
Does anyone else have Comcast (xfinity)? I’m not seeing the U-23 game listed on Univision; are we not getting it or is it an error?
If you have cable or satellite most likely you get the version of NBC Universal Sports.
NBC Bought out the old Versus channel, I know for DirecTv it’s like 603 or 613 or somewhere between there…
Most basic and any sports packages have that channel should be okay. Plus like 2tone said^^^ they did streamings of the woman’s I’m sure they will do some of the Mens as well, hell I think NBC Universal did it online it didn’t even have to be Concacaf…
How pissed off do Edson and Timmy look in that picture.
Like the USMNT’s version of the Iwo Jima statue.
I was about to say the same thing! Epic photo.
I hope they wear something tomorrow that you think is pretty enough for the occasion.
Just from an artistic standpoint, that’s a really terrific photograph.
It’s good. We’re getting it now on Dish. Just watched speed skating and rugby 7s the other day. They show sports ESPN wouldn’t touch with a pole.
Italy announced there line up and changed a lot since there match against Uruguay. The Italians are in some flux as always between big tournaments. They will be build until tournament time and then peak.
BRO HUG
I seriously hope that all the leaks so far have been used to throw us off the trail…
The American Outlaws meet here
Dark Horse Pub
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com
Well, yeah.
time to call in sick to work tomorrow…haha!
who gives a sh!t who they cheer for? They can cheer for whoever they want. Is everyone just supposed to bow down and cheer for the mighty US of A?
COCNACAF tv will be showing it as well. They live free streamed the womens tournament. So I am guessing they will do the same for the Men’s.
I would imagine most neutrals would be cheering for the country who just witnessed the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl and is still(and will for generations most likely) be facing the consequences.
“Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information.” – Michael Scott
It’s not his brother. His full name is Ricardo Bocanegra Vega. Carlos only has one brother named Diego.
Just check wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Bocanegra#Personal_life
Just out of curiosity, how many people get Universal Sports(NBC’s Olympic channel that’s broadcasting the men’s soccer qualifiers?) I heard it was taken down towards the beginning of 2012 and my provider doesn’t provide it. Guess I’ll be Telemundo-ing it.
I did not realize the US ladies were in tournament with Germany. Am hoping then that Germany wins its group so the USWNT can kick their you-know-what. After Germany got knocked out of Women’s WC2011 by Japan, the German coach and players were in the stands at the final in Frankfurt making a big scene wildly cheering for Japan and giving high fives when the US ladies missed in the penalty shootout. It was shown on German TV and some German commentators thought it was in poor taste. I imagine some USWNT players now would take great pleasure in beating Germany.
Here are links showing the German players cheering after Tobin Heath misses and the German coach cheering when Japan equalized.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BPBJrMuFEI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC6YIvosqLY
Carlos’ wiki: “He was born in Upland, California, to Manuel and Kelly Bocanegra and raised in Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he attended Alta Loma High School. He has one brother, Diego who played soccer at Grand Canyon College and attended UCLA in 1995-96. His father is of Mexican descent.”
(although he definitely looks like carlos)
yeah its not….
Seriously? Why can’t i find anything on the net?
Yes. I hope they wear the Red and White hoops.
Nice! 3 Sounder Women against Denmark!
Would be a great day if there is a clean sweep here for all US teams invloved. Anyways really excited for the USMNT against Italy nad of course the U-23’s against Mexico’s U-23’s.
It is!? That would really suck if it is.
According to an Allen Hopkins tweet:
“#USMNT set to debut new @nikesoccer kits tomorrow v. Italy. Saw them prior to release, like them a lot. Entire collection is fantastic.”
Hopefully we wear the white/red hoops and Italy wears their new blue home kit…would be a nice-looking match.
Wow! Can’t wait for lock the door and ignore the girlfriend Wednesday.
It is 🙁
Mexican-Americans Miguel Angel Ponce and Ricardo Bocanegra.
This isn’t Carlos’ brother, is it?
sooooo looking forward to the u-23 game!!!!!!
USA u23 vs Mexico u23 is going to be a great game.
go usa!
So happy to learn that the U-23 match is televised! Thanks!
any watching parties going on near Philadelphia, PA