On one hand, an away match against Russia is a pretty cool thing and a unique test for the United States ahead of the hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying. On the other hand, if you are a normal person with a normal life, you either have to DVR the match or ditch work/school to watch it.
USA vs. Russia 2012: Preview and TV schedule
Ditch work or school, because the United States is playing Russia on Wednesday morning on your glowing picture box.
The United States are without Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Steve Cherundolo for this match, but doesn't that just make it more interesting? It's a friendly, after all. Seeing new faces in new roles is what these games are all about. Mikkel Diskerud and Timothy Chandler are back, while Josh Gatt and Joe Gyau could make debuts.
Russia is also without some of their key players. All of Pavel Pogrebnyak, Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko are sitting this one out, though the latter two might remain out of Fabio Capello's plans until their club form improves. Keep an eye on their impressive captain Igor Denisov and recent breakout performer Viktor Fayzulin.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 10 a.m. ET, 7 p.m. local
Venue: Stadion Kuban, Krasnodar, Russia
TV: ESPN2 (U.S. - English), Univision (U.S. - Spanish), Sport1 (Russia)
For more on the U.S. national sides, check out U.S. soccer blog Stars and Stripes FC.
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