Italy vs. US Soccer: What to Look For from Klinsmann's Men

Italy hosts the United States Men's National Team on Wednesday, Feb. 29, in Genoa. This is the 12th time the two teams face off. The USMNT has never beat the Azzuri in an international match. Italy has eight wins and three draws with the USMNT and scored 36 goals while only allowing four.

The last time these two sides met, the 2009 Confederations Cup, Italy won, 3-1, and American-born and Villareal forward Giuseppe Rossi scored twice. Rossi is not included on the 23-man roster this time.

Four things to look for in the USMNT v Italy on Wednesday:

Can Jurgen Klinsmann Find the Right Blend of Players in His Defense?

It looked like Oguchi Onyewu was finally on track to reclaim his place as a first choice center back for the USMNT this season after a summer move to Sporting CP from AC Milan, but a knee injury took away his latest chance at impressing Jurgen Klinsmann.

Carlos Bocanegra is still looking for the right center back partner since Onyewu's injury, so it's time for for Geoff Cameron and Michael Parkhurst to try and claim the spot and make an impression on the coaches ahead of the team's World Cup qualifying games.

As for the outside back positions, Jonathan Spector and Cherundolo are the only traditional outside backs on the roster (Timmy Chander will miss the game due to injury), so don't expect too much shifting around in the wings of the defense from Klinsmann; he will be looking at who stands out in the middle. 

Can the U.S. Break Down the Stingy Italian Defense and Create Chances?

Clint Dempsey will shoulder the role of creator for the USMNT against Italy with Landon Donovan out due to injury. Klinsmann has tried Dempsey in the No. 10 role, just behind a lone forward, and it hasn't worked the way he would have liked so far. Without Donovan, again, in side the side, Dempsey will be asked to link up and create with whoever is in front of him and out wide.

Brek Shea has been called into the side, and his pace should give the U.S. something on the outside. At times, though, Shea seems too timid to be a national team winger. He doesn't seem to want to take on defenders or run at defenses, and this U.S. side needs him to want and know that he can get into the space out wide, which will surely be there as Italy has been known to play narrow.

Sacha Kljestan has also been called into the side because of injuries. The Anderlecht midfielder has enjoyed a strong season in the Belgian Pro League and should have made the initial 23-man roster. Now he has a chance to get into the side and show that he has not only great passing ability, but also a knack for goal, something the U.S. needs from its midfielders in Klinsmann's preferred formation (4-2-3-1).

Who Will Play the "Jose Torres Role?"

Torres picked up an injury over the weekend while playing for his club team, Pachuca, and will not play against Italy. Torres' injury leaves a big hole in Klinsmann's plans for the Italy match. The German coach has been searching for a deep-lying playmaker to sit next to a holding midfielder, and Torres is believed to be his guy. But again, Klinsmann will need to find another option.

Kljestan looks the ideal replacement when looking at the U.S. team. Klejstan is a solid passer who has learned to control possession and keep a good tempo in the midfield since moving away from MLS and to the Belgian first division. The knock on Kljestan used to be that he always wanted to play the killer the pass, which often turned the ball over, but he's adapted his game in recent seasons and looks like the mature player Bob Bradley hoped he would become before he left his post as USMNT coach.

This game will be his time to shine if he gets his chance. Playing alongside a working midfielder should give Kljestan the license to roam and to create. 

Kljestan has looked good in his recent call-ups, and he should continue to get more time in the team if he impresses Klinsmann.

Who Will Score the Goals for the U.S.?

Jozy Altidore has struggled as a lone striker at times for the USMNT, and it hasn't been his fault entirely. The USMNT seems to always be on the search for a goalscorer, and this crop of players is no different.

Klinsmann was brought in to change the culture of American soccer and make the team entertaining and proactive. It hasn't worked that way. Part of the problem has been finding the right mix of players, finding a creative outlet, creating chances and finding a a goalscorer.

Terrance Boyd is in the team to make an impact, but he isn't the answer, yet, as he still isn't a regular in the Borussia Dortmund first team. Altidore lost his starting position at AZ Alkmaar recently. And Edson Buddle isn't the answer, even if he has had his moments. Whoever shows they have that scoring touch against Italy, when the chance arises, then they are surely going to keep their place going forward.

Demspey and Donovan can't keep carrying the load of being creators and scorers, and Italy is a good test for the young forward group brought in by Klinsmann.

Potential Starting XI for USMNT (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Tim Howard

Defense (from right to left): Steve Cherundolo, Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Spector

Deep Lying Midfielders: Sacha Kljestan, Michael Bradley

Forward Three Midfielders: Brek Shea, Clint Dempsey, Danny Williams

Forward: Jozy Altidore

Complete USMNT 23-Man Roster 

Goalkeepers (Three): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders (Six): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

Midfielders (Five): Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

Forwards (Five): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)

Italy Full Roster

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain), Emiliano Viviano (Palermo)

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)

Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).

Forwards: Fabio Borini (Roma), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter Milan)