United States-Italy: A Confederations Cup Preview

Oguchi Onyewu and the United States will face Luca Toni and Italy for the first time since their 1-1 draw at the 2006 World Cup.

The United States men’s national team will battle Italy today in their first group stage match of the Confederations Cup (2:25 p.m. ET, ESPN).

This meeting marks the first time the two countries have seen each other since a memorable 1-1 draw in the 2006 World Cup. The United States was the only country that didn’t lose to Italy on its way to the championship.

Three years and many matches later, the two countries rematch in South Africa. The United States and Italy have experienced considerable turnover from their respective World Cup rosters, but each country retains some familiar faces.

U.S. Captain Carlos Bocanegra is listed as questionable for today’s match with a hamstring strain and Watford defender Jay Demerit is ready to replace Bocanegra. Italian striker Luca Toni is expected to get the start over the promising Guissepe Rossi and Alberto Gilardino.

U.S. Coach Bob Bradley’s will need to choose between matching up with Italy’s 4-3-3 or employing a more conservative 4-4-2.

Benny Feilhaber’s second-half showing against Honduras gave the U.S. the creative midfield presence they have sorely needed. Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark provide better defensive tenacity, but Feilhaber’s ball skills are unmatched by those two.

So who will be in the starting 11? Here is a potential squad Bob Bradley will start today (assuming Bocanegra is out).

4-3-3

GK – Tim Howard

RB – Jonathan Spector

CB – Oguchi Onyewu, Jay Demerit

LB – Jonathan Bornstein

RCM – Ricardo Clark

CM – Benny Feilhaber

LCM – Michael Bradley

RW – Clint Dempsey

ST – Jozy Altidore

LW – Landon Donovan

Some might expect Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore to switch positions, but Donovan’s on-the-ball skills out wide will be necessary to expand the Italian back line and Altidore’s size and strength are better suited to attack the middle of the Italian defense.

Midfielder DaMarcus Beasley’s poor performance in Costa Rica has relegated him to the bench as Bob Bradley attempts to find the best fit for his skills.

Freddy Adu stands a chance to feature a key reserve role in South Africa. The number of injuries and players showing poor form has opened the door for a player with undeniable offensive skill.

Bradley’s reluctance to give Adu quality minutes due to his defensive indifference will be tested if the U.S. struggles to create any positive attacking results.

Another midfielder vying for time will be Jose Francisco Torres. Torres only played the first half against Costa Rica and will attempt to show his lack of composure in that game was a fluke.

Perhaps the most intriguing reserve that could see the field is Hammarby striker Charlie Davies. His speed and strength give him a commanding attitude on the pitch and the bulldog mentality he showed against Costa Rica was unrivaled by any other U.S. player.

The United States will likely start the game in a conservative manner due to their recent penchant to give up early goals. As the game progresses, the attacking skills of Feilhaber, Dempsey, and Donovan will be forced to show themselves in order to achieve a result against the Italians.

Prediction: A 1-1 draw.