The United States is playing more or less a first team lineup against Italy, minus the ill Landon Donovan, while Italy's team has a slightly more experimental look to it. Angelo Ogbonna starts in central defense, despite playing in Serie B with Torino. He's having a brilliant season and he captains that club, but it's rare that a second division player gets to start for a team like Italy. Fabian Johnson will get a look at left back for the United States. Here are the lineups.
Italy Vs. USA: Lineups
Italy Lineup (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Criscito, Barzagli, Ogbonna, Maggio; Nocerino, Pirlo, Marchisio; Thiago Motta; Giovinco, Matri
United States Lineup (4-2-3-1): Howard; Johnson, Bocanegra, Goodson, Cherundolo; Bradley, Edu; Shea, Dempsey, Williams; Altidore
Italy's lineup is listed as a 4-3-1-2 with Sebastian Giovinco as a striker and Thiago Motta as the most advanced midfielder, but don't be surprised if it doesn't turn out that way in practice. Motta doesn't normally play that high up the pitch, and Giovinco will be dropping much, much deeper than his strike partner Alessandro Matri.
Brek Shea and Danny Williams are going to be key players for the United States, up against Domenico Criscito and Christian Maggio. Both are fantastic getting forward and average at defending. The American wingers will have to track them when they get forward and also look for opportunities to run in behind them.
The game kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET and can be see on ESPN2 and ESPN3 in the USA.
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