US Soccer: 5 Players with Points to Prove Against Italy

Against Italy, every American player has a point to prove.

When the United States plays four-time world champion Italy on Wednesday in Genoa (2:45 p.m. Eastern, TV coverage on ESPN2), every American should strive to make an extra impact. Sure, Jürgen Klinsmann's team has won three straight matches—against Slovenia, Venezuela and Panama—but this is different.

This is Italy.

This is soccer royalty, and this match is on their turf. That should be enough motivation to go around, but just in case, here are five American players who especially have a point to prove Wednesday.

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Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey is enjoying a breakout season in England with Fulham. The Texan has scored 16 goals in all competitions, thanks in part to two impressive hat tricks—one in the league and another in the FA Cup.

Dempsey says all the success surprises him, but maybe it shouldn't. At 28 (he turns 29 in March), Dempsey is now in his prime, and it shows. With a goal against Slovenia late last year, Dempsey tied Joe-Max Moore for fourth all-time on the US scoring charts, and earlier this year he was named US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year.

Now it's time for more.

With Landon Donovan set to miss Wednesday's match, Dempsey has a chance, once again, to prove himself as the United States' leader. He also has the chance to prove himself as an attacking force against Italy, traditionally one of Europe's best defensive sides.

In short, it's time for Dempsey to live up to his superstar potential.

Hopefully, Klinsmann will let Dempsey do all that as a forward. But if not, Dempsey told Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl that he's fine with that.

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"Ideally, I'd like to face my opponents," Dempsey said. "I don't like having my back to goal, so I don't like to be a target guy that holds the ball up. I'd rather be a guy who's running at defenders or running behind defenders and getting balls played through."

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Let's hope Klinsi shares that view.

Sacha Kljestan

Midfielder Sacha Kljestan has been omnipresent for Belgian club Anderlecht this season, making 36 appearances in all competitions and scoring three times. Seeing time with the USMNT under Klinsmann has been a different story.

Kljestan has 34 caps for the United States but hasn't been capped since a substitute appearance last September. In fact, that appearance—a loss to Costa Rica—has been Kljestan's only for the US under Klinsmann after appearing nine times in 2011 for former manager Bob Bradley.

Kljestan showed promise when he made his debut as a 21-year-old in 2007. Now 26, he's back in the team after a significant absence—but only after the withdrawal of three players.

Apparently, Kljestan has something to prove to the new boss.

Jozy Altidore

Jozy Altidore scored twice over the weekend in AZ Alkmaar's thrilling 3-3 draw with Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie. Altidore, 22, now has nine league goals this season.

Translating that form to the national team, especially under Klinsmann, has been tough at times for the big forward, who has scored 13 goals in 45 caps. But that might not be totally his fault.

When Altidore has struggled, the cause has often been of a lack of support in a one-man attack. Perhaps with an in-form Dempsey alongside him—or playing a bit deeper—Altidore could thrive.

Michael Bradley

Midfielder Michael Bradley is currently the only American international playing in Italy's Serie A (with Chievo Verona). But that's not why he has something to prove Wednesday.

Bradley was a regular starter for the US under his father, former national team manager Bob Bradley. Under Klinsmann, he's been one of many midfield options.

After starting every match of the United States' run to the 2011 Gold Cup final, Bradley made just two starts for Klinsmann the rest of the year. He appeared as a sub twice and was an unused sub in the loss to France.

Whether or not he deserved to be benched by Klinsmann—or deserved his automatic spot in his father's team—is beside the point. The point is that Bradley needs to show Klinsmann something good in Genoa.

His performance against Slovenia was solid. Now it's time for another outing just like it.

Brad Guzan

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 27, has made nine appearances this season for Aston Villa. Believe it or not, that qualifies as tons of playing time compared to Guzan's international career.

Since making his first international appearance in 2006, Guzan has earned 19 caps for the United States—but none since Klinsmann became coach.

Guzan's appearances for Villa this season clearly led to his international call-up. Now he has a chance to make his case as Tim Howard's backup.