After a lengthy break in operations, Cesare Prandelli has once again convened a select band of
the most able players of Italian passporture, for yet another gallant ride into the sunset, this
time against the national selection of Giuseppe Rossiland, more commonly known as the United
States. These two sides are not without history; having shared more than one 90 minute tryst in
recent years, having played each other first at the 2006 world cup; a 1-1 draw overshadowed by a
gruesome foul in which Brian McBride threw his face into Daniele De Rossi's elbow, and second; at
the 2009 confederations cup, when our boys in powder blue triumphed by a score of three goals to
one.
Four-time World Cup champion Italy has had the upper hand against the U.S. Men's National Team
since the two sides first met in 1934. The U.S. faces Italy at 8:45 p.m. local time (2:45 p.m. ET)
on Wednesday in Genoa, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision:
• The U.
Chicago Fire original CJ Brown played in his last professional soccer game on October 23, 2010.
Both Brown and teammate Brian McBride had announced their retirements days earlier. Chicago was
already eliminated from the playoffs going into the game. Prior to kick-off the players knew it was
going to be only the second time in the club's history that the Fire did not make the playoffs.
Brian McBride and the U.S. Men's National Team played Italy to a 1-1 draw
in the 2006 FIFA World Cup - Italy's only blemish en route to its fourth
crown.
One of the more iconic images in U.
Their Words "When you play Italy, you've got to be smart enough to not get involved in some of the
mental sides of the game that they're very smart at. They get you out of your game both
individually and as a team." US National Team alum Brian McBride. Other Sources U.S. team not just
looking for a learning experience against Italy - from SI.
COUNTDOWN TO MLS 2012 - SEASON 17
TEAM USAThis is the real deal. It will debut tomorrow in Italy.
Image courtesy of Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly.
