The U.S. men's national team takes on Italy today in Genoa in the first major match of 2012 for Jurgen Klinsmann's squad (2:30pm, ESPN2).
The Americans come in with an injury-depleted lineup, but should still provide a good test for an Italy side also missing some key players. Landon Donovan is out, as are Timmy Chandler and Jose Torres, joining Jermaine Jones and Oguchi Onyewu among those players sidelined for today's match.
Here is my Fox Soccer preview of today's USA-Italy clash, the first meeting between the squads since Italy's Confederations Cup triumph in 2009.
SBI will be providing live commentary on today's match so please feel free to join us.
What are you expecting from today's match? Which players are you most looking forward to seeing in action? Think the United States can get a result in Genoa?
Share your pre-game thoughts on today's match in the comments section below.
I think we see both Williams and Johnson somewhere on the pitch today.
Any new leaked pics of the new kits? I just can’t wait to see them today.
And the fact that we’ve won four of six with one of the losses coming against France in France. We’ve only allowed four goals in those six games, and in that stretch of matches we beat a European squad in Europe for the first time in years and a South American team for the first time in years.
And that was all accomplished without our best players.
because that’s a strong possibility. Roll tide to your dedication, sir 😀
Hahaha. Brian McBride will be at the game. You never know what could happen out there? Hopefully, JK plays some WC 2006 footage of Daniele dropping bows on BMB to get the blood boiling a little bit.
I know, sorry about that guys, I didn’t get much sleep last night, I needed to get work done so I can be at home for these games. Klinsman, in case you are reading this…please put Williams as a DM.
I’d like to see something like this:
———Altidore—–Buddle———–
—————-Dempsey—————-
-Kljestan——————-Williams—-
—————-Bradley—————-
Johnson———————-Cherundolo
———Bocanegra—Cameron———–
——————Duh——————
Although I kind of doubt that Juergen Klinsmann starts Sacha after not calling him in originally… We’re likely to see Edu in the holding role with Bradley and Williams as the shuttlers on the outside of the same narrow diamond that we played against Slovenia.
I just hope Dempsey lets it rip whenever he touches it, I just can’t imagine goals coming elsewhere today. I hope i’m wrong
You didn’t see goals or exciting play in our 3-2 win over Slovenia?
I wouldn’t mind seeing that, myself. Too bad Gooch isn’t here or he might take you up on that.
It actually shouldn’t be a problem in this game if Italy plays true to form. The typically come out very slow, with a probing, tactical approach and lots of players behind the ball.
I haven’t seen Williams in Bundesliga play enough to make judgements, but he’s been pretty poor in the USMNT kit and hasn’t displayed the ball skills you and others have mentioned.
Why do I have a sneaky suspicion that I will be the only American at this game?
You made us work way too hard for that, Louis. Or maybe I’m just slow today.
1 is usually enough for a result against the stingy, tactical Italians, especially if it comes late, after they’ve spent 80 minute killing the ball. If the U.S. scores early, though, that could force Italy to open up and actually play attacking soccer. Much as it’s a great measuring stick for USMNT, don’t expect an interesting game. Italy usually equals boring.
I just want to see some goals from the US and some exciting play. Haven’t seen either in Klinsmann’s previous 9 matches and not holding my breath this time. My prediction: 2-0 Italy.
You’d think living in So Cal, I could get the U-23 game. But no, I get televisa, telemundo.
However, off to the soccer pub to watch the game for lunch.
+1. It is a very sensible opinion. Can’t argue with anything there.
to me Williams is a better ball winner, Edu may have the edge in scoring. Passing I think they are even although Edu prefers the simpler passing lanes while Williams is not afraid to thread the needle.
Careful sometimes they don’t replay the games. I know its 50/50 with la liga games
there is a period in between. if jozy or buddle falter put the kid in (boyd)
While we may be in the minority: I completely agree with that assessment.
I’ve had to wait an hour of so after games for the replays to be put back up on the site.
Edu not a terrible player, but I don’t think he’s on Bradley or Jone’s level. He has made some terrible whiffs on shots and is not the best in distribution out the back, but he also is a target on set pieces.
While I think he may be a better player than Beckerman, I think Beckerman plays his role for the USMNT better than Edu does. Edu sort of gets lost out there. Hope he makes today his best game.
Daniele De Rossi’s left knee sticking out of his right ear?
oops, did I say that out loud?
“Us not giving up a goal in the first 15 minutes”
(I also don’t think this will happen)
Would like to see Bradley take FKs and CKs. Looked real good the last time he did so.
I can’t resist another lineup (or two). This is the one I would love to see, old veterans Dempsy and Altidore up top and veteran Bradley guarding deep with newbies Shea, Johnson, Williams sandwiched in the middle.
——–Dempsey——–Altidore——-
Shea———–Johnson———–Williams
—————Bradley—————
Spector—Bocanegra–Cameron–Cherundolo
****************************************
But sentiment seems to be that Klinsmann is going to put Johnson at LB, if so, this would be my first choice (or if not Kljestan, then Dempsey moved in that CM spot and Buddle in the forward slot):
——Dempsey———Altidore——-
Shea———Kljestan——–Williams
————-Bradley—————–
Johnson—Bocanegra–Cameron–Cherundolo
********************************************
The issue is that Williams shouldn’t be a flanker. He can play the position b/c of previous club experience, but his preferred (and best) spot is a CDM. Which would put him in direct competition w/ Edu.
Any & all outings.
They both play too negatively and hover on the backline. Neither have shown we can rely on them to be playmaker for the Nats.
I’d rather have one midfielder on the pitch with that mentality than both, playing centrally.
Would really prefer to see Williams/Bradley paired.
Things I want to see:
Shea play well on the left.
Boyd start up top alongside Jozy. (I don’t think this will happen.)
Bradley/Edu or Bradley/Kljestan hold their own against the Italy MF ( I also don’t think this will happen.)
Us not giving up a goal in the first 15 minutes.
I don’t think Edu and DW are interchangeable, Williams is more of a flanker, at least has has been with USMNT.
I saw a Fox news story earlier today on the Web datelined Madrid without a byline and thought: man, this is good, insightful–wonder who wrote it. And now I click on the link above and the same story pops up, but with a byline. Here’s the link to the non-bylined story:
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2012/02/28/us-injuries-change-klinsmanns-plans/
The last two paragraphs are especially spot on. Definitely the moment of truth for Michael Bradley.
Cameron for Jozy or Buddle?
Which edu-bradley outings did you really dislike? I feel like there haven’t been that many…
They had a memorable 45 minutes against slovenia in south africa though.
pretty sure it’s instantaneously (ie you can watch the game 5 minutes behind schedule if you like)
Williams for Edu. Is there anything Williams doesn’t do better than Edu? Faster, better skill on the ball, better passer, better shooter, better tackler. He’s probably even a better RM than Edu!
I think one of these guys will get a goal. Unfortunately I don’t think it will be enough…
Yeah ditto my cable provider doesn’t carry telefutura but does carry univision. Really wanted to see the u-23s against Mexico. ANY USA/Mexico is “Must See” IMO. *double sigh*
i would like to see cameron play in this game, he may be a diamond in the rough. If either Jozy or Buddle falter…then put the kid in.
Does anybody know when ESPN3 typically puts up the replays of games? Sadly I may not be able to watch this live today…
+1
Off topic but the U-23 programming change has my head ready to explode. Telefutura only? Sigh.
Agreed, I don’t understand what purpose Edu serves.
edit: that has worked *sometimes* against other top teams.
I’m super excited for this match. I think if the US can absorb pressure in the midfield we’ll have a shot. I don’t think we can rely on the “let them shoot and we’ll block every shot” strategy that has worked against other top teams.
this will be a good game. Come on Jozy and Dempsey
I would like to see what Geoff Cameron can do against a quality front line in Italy…with Onyewu consistently injured he may be the key backup we need.
*Can’t wait to see new kits
*Can’t stand Edu/Bradley pairing
*I hope Williams isn’t playing out wide
*I hope Shea shines
Let’s go Nats!
Woooo! Tailgating! I’m drinking an e-beer right now!
Really hope we don’t see the lineup you predicted. I’ve had enough of Danny Williams on the right.