The USMNT starting XI: Howard; Cherundolo, Goodson, Bocanegra (c), Johnson; Bradley, Edu; Williams, Dempsey, Shea; Altidore
USA subs: Rimando, Cameron, Parkhurst, Spector, Kljestan, Boyd, Buddle. (Guzan not in uniform.)
Italy lineup: Buffon; Maggio, Barzagli, Ogbonna, Criscito; Nocerino, Pirlo, Marchisio; Motta; Giovinco, Matri.
Two things I don't like about this game before it even started: the U.S. is wearing the horrid new away jerseys that were leaked online yesterday and Taylor Twellman is commentating along with the incomparable Ian Darke.
We're underway and Italy nearly scores in the 1st minute as Matri gets behind the U.S. defense but Howard wins the ball before Matri can touch it past him.
Howard made a nice kick save on a close chance by Giovinco.
10 of the 11 U.S. starters tonight play in Europe. Brek Shea is the only MLS starter (Donovan would have been another) and he's also the only guy to play in every game under Klinsmann.
Good passing sequence and patience by the U.S. leads to a U.S. corner, the first for either team.
Giovinco almost gets a breakaway on Howard but the Parma player loses it out of bounds off his feet.
Fabian Johnson makes a nice fun forward and he lays it off for Shea who hits it well wide. That was a good setup, Shea should have done better since he had space and it was on his favored left foot.
Bocanegra breaks up a cross but Italy gets its first corner kick.
Altidore gets called for a bogus foul when an Italian defender impedes his progress on the sideline then falls down. Alright then.
Six substitutes allowed for each team because it is a friendly.
Bradley targets Altidore on a long ball but Buffon cuts it off.
Pirlo drops a sick pass but it's offsides by a hair.
Giovinco with a decent shot but he had no angle and Howard snagged it out of the air.
Giovinco finds Matri but he's offsides. The U.S. is living dangerously since these last two calls went their way but they were very close.
Edu does his best Shea impression by hitting a shot from outside of the box nowhere near the Italian net. I like the aggressiveness but yikes, tighten it up.
Giovinco is offsides again (maybe) after Pirlo chips it to him.
Another U.S. corner goes for naught.
The U.S. had numbers going forward and Dempsey looked for Altidore but he fell down. He needs to be stronger on his feet, he's a big, powerful guy.
The fourth Italian offsides in 25 minutes is recorded. Haha, they're not adjusting well thus far.
Edu played a nice ball to Shea but his first touch killed him as he hit it too hard and Buffon grabbed it.
Jozy just walked off the field holding his wrist, hope he's alright. Good news, he's back on a minute later.
Goodson knocks Giovinco's cross out for an Italy corner kick.
Williams goes forward but gets called for a foul when he bowls over an Italian defender.
Altidore and Shea with a nice combination play until Shea gives it right to Italy on a telegraphed pass.
Italy corner kick. Motta played for Brazil in a past Gold Cup. Haha what? Explain that one to my FIFA.
Howard makes an easy save on a long shot that had no chance to go in.
Altidore win a free kick from 20 yards or so, right outside the top of the box. Italy's wall isn't 10 yards back so they are forced to move. Dempsey hits it well in terms of power but it's right at Buffon and he punches it out.
Dempsey wins another free kick, a little further from the goal compared to the last one. Bradley chips it forward but Buffon hits it out of danger.
Pirlo crosses it right to Howard.
Wow, great tackle by Edu to win the ball back after a miserable square pass from Williams.
Motta hits one well on a volley that dropped to him but it was right at Howard.
Halftime: U.S. 0, Italy 0
Very solid first 45 mintues by the U.S. The defense and Howard look strong, they just need to create more chances if they hope to break through and score a goal.
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