Nightcap To A Spectacular Day: U.S. Under-23 Men's Team Blanks Mexico 2-0

I honestly can't remember a full day quite like this one for U.S. soccer in my lifetime. Between the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announcement, the U.S. women's 5-0 triumph over Denmark at the Algrave Cup and of course, the U.S. men's 1-0 shocking upset of Italy, who could ask for anything more?

Well the U.S. Under-23 men's team aka what will be most of the Olympic team this summer, capped off this memorable leap day with a 2-0 victory over Mexico.

The friendly was played in Frisco, Texas so there was a pretty even distribution of fans. What makes the win so impressive for the Americans is that they controlled play basically from start to finish. Mexico's Under-23 team is one of the best in the world but they looked frazzled the entire match.

Mexico is the U.S.' biggest rival and at any level, I honestly can never remember a performance like that. Usually the script is the complete opposite with the U.S. men forced to stem the non-stop Mexican attack.

The U.S. scored both of its goals during a wild two-minute span in the first half. Juan Agudelo (rocking a Neymar-esque blonde mohawk) headed in a corner kick from Mix Diskerud for a 1-0 U.S. lead in 35th minute. Less than a minute later, Freddy Adu's hard shot from outside the box was tipped in by Diskerud.

American goalkeeper Bill Hamid took a queue from Hope Solo and Tim Howard before him as he also posted a clean sheet. Collectively, the U.S. teams outscored their opposition 8-0 today between the three matches.

Tonight served as a mere tuneup for CONCACAF Olympic qualifying which begins on March 22. Even though it was broadcast on Telefutura, I was able to brush up on my spanish skills while the U.S. dominated. It was beautiful.

You'll want to pay attention to this squad since it figures to contain many of the United States' brightest young stars (Adu, Diskerud, Agudelo, Hamid, Shea, Bunbury, etc.). This game should serve notice that they are worth watching and paying attention to this summer for what should be an exciting tournament in London (I'm assuming they'll get there).

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A Special Day: U.S. Men Defeat Italy For The First Time Ever

Today was a historic day for U.S. soccer as the men's national team knocked off Italy, 1-0 in Genoa, Italy.

It was the first time in 11 games (previously 0-7-3, outscored 32-4) that the Americans had beaten Italy, one of international soccer's true superpowers. It also marked the first time in 20 matches that the U.S. men beat a former World Cup champ (Uruguay, 2002).

Jurgen Klinsmann's team has now won four straight and they picked up by far the most meaningful result of his brief tenure.

Yes this was a friendly and as we say when things don't go well in those, results aren't that important. I'll stick to that idea but come on, victories like this have been few and far between for the U.S.

While Italy controlled play (61%-39% time of possession), took way more shots (7-2 on goal) and had four times as many corner kicks (8-2), I'm not going to say it was luck that the U.S. won. Rather, they played basically the perfect road game against a more talented and technically skilled opponent.

When the U.S. got its one great chance in the 55th minute, they made the most of it as Jozy Altidore laid it back for Clint Dempsey. The Fulham star kept his spectacular play going as he blasted a low but hard shot past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy had plenty of chances but I wouldn't say that Tim Howard stole this one like Kasey Keller in 1999 vs. Brazil (1-0 in the Gold Cup). Howard made some very solid saves but nothing extraordinary or the kind that he doesn't routinely make.

Before the game, I said that the U.S.' best players would need to assert themselves and that proved prophetic. Dempsey was great, he also crushed a free kick in the first half that was punched out by Buffon. Altidore picked up his pace in the second half and was rewarded with a nice assist. The man of the match though for the Red, White and Blue in their new hideous Nike road uniforms was Michael Bradley.

Perhaps its fitting that the only American that plays for an Italian club (Chievo Verona) performed so well against opponents that mostly compete with him in Italy. Bradley was all over the field, making multiple runs back on defense that broke up possible scoring bids. He was also tough and strong on his feet and he didn't get nervous when Italy turned up the pressure late for the tying goal.

Other notable developments for the U.S. included the reemergence of Maurice Edu in the midfield and Fabian Johnson actually played well at left back (which has been a black hole for the U.S. the last few years).

What this result means is twofold: for the U.S. players, it shows them what Jurgen Klinsmann (5-4-1) can help them achieve if they buy into his team-building and roster selections. Outside of the team, this win earns the U.S. respect around the globe. Everyone outside the United States loves to knock the U.S. which is understandable when they beat up on bad CONCACAF teams then need favorable draws to make it out of the group stage in World Cups. However, when you win in Italy that proves that you're not frauds by any means.

The best news is that this was all done without Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden, Jermaine Jones, Jose Torres and Timmy Chandler. Those are all players that Klinsmann loves that will be a big part of his plans going forward. If the U.S. can keep developing and then add those guys, well then they'll really be onto something.

Their next match will be May 26 vs. Scotland, another friendly this time in Landover, MD.

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U.S. Women Smoke Denmark 5-0 In 2012 Algrave Cup Opener

A couple hours before the U.S. men shocked Italy, the U.S. women blew out Denmark 5-0 in Lagos, Portugal, site of the 2012 Algrave Cup.

The U.S. women scored twice in the first half then added three more goals in the final 15 minutes to wrap it up.

Abby Morgan led the way with two goals and an assist (she now has eight in 2012) while Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd and Sydney Leroux had the other goals. Heather O'Reilly, Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath and Stephanie Cox had assists.

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo did her best Tim Howard impression (or was he doing a Hope Solo impression?) as she recorded a clean sheet.

Morgan opened the scoring with a goal in the 21st minute, assisted by O'Reilly. Morgan's shot went off the post and in. The U.S. kept the pressure on and scored a backbreaking goal in the 44th minute as Morgan found a sliding Wambach (132nd career goal).

Cheney hit the post in the 76th minute but Lloyd was there to clean up the rebound. Morgan scored her second in the 84th minute (her 18th international goal) on a shot in traffic. Leroux redirected Lindsey's shot from a tough angle, for her sixth goal in six appearances. She's the youngest player on the team (21) but she looks like the next U.S. star.

Japan defeated Norway 2-1 in the other Group B match. The U.S. will meet Norway on Friday at 10 a.m. ET. You can keep track of the action on ussoccer.com's matchtracker and by following @ussoccer_wnt on Twitter.

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U.S. Men Vs. Italy 2nd Half Live Blog

No substitutes for either team at halftime.

Giovinco (twice) and Matri (once) have already been called offsides making it eight total so far for Italy. That's just dumb and lazy by the Italians and like I said before, the U.S. can't keep relying on that tactic. Eventually, it won't work.

Edu draws a foul which gives the U.S. defense a rest after the first nine minutes or so have mostly been spent in their end.

Goal U.S. in the 56th minute! Altidore settled a cross at his feet (with his back to the goal) then laid it off for Dempsey, who seemed to stun Buffon and the Italian defense. Totally against the run of play but who cares, the U.S. leads 1-0. 25th career international goal for Dempsey which puts him fourth all-time (ahead of Joe Max-Moore).

After another offsides call on Matri, the first Italian substitutes: Pazzini in for Motta, Borini in for Matri.

Altidore wins a free kick and more importantly, Chiellini gets a yellow card for hauling him down.

Bocanegra gets a yellow for chopping down Pazzini.

Bradley did a great job tracking back and stealing the ball from Giovinco.

More subs for Italy. Kljestan in for Shea, the first U.S. sub.

Two Italy corner kicks but they don't do anything with them.

Italy is starting to settle for shots from distance that don't have a prayer.

Johnson out for Jonathan Spector. Johnson played well for the second game in a row. Maybe the U.S. finally found a left back.

The U.S. is starting to hang on now with Italy turning up the pressure. Bocanegra is lucky he didn't get an own goal as he deflects it out for a corner then Spector blocked a shot.

Altidore out for Boyd, making his U.S. debut.

Another good block by Spector on Marini, that makes two.

Montolivo goes off for a moment with a nose bleed.

Great work by Bradley, winning the ball in traffic in the middle of the field and clearing it out with some quick 1-2 passes.

Italy is really turning it up now, Spector made another block and Italy to nobody's surprise is flopping all over the field and crying to the referees for non-existent calls.

Another Italy corner but Pielini heads it over the net. The U.S. looks tired and out of energy which I can totally understand.

Only once under Klinsmann-vs. Slovenia-has the U.S. allowed more than one goal.

Four minutes of added time.

This is a similar performance from the 2009 Confederation's Cup when the U.S. shocked Spain. They have blocked so many shots, like a hockey team.

Montolivo with a hard shot from outside the box but it goes just wide.

Buddle in for Dempsey to waste more time on the clock.

And it's all over, the U.S. beats Italy 1-0 for the first time ever (in its 11th try). It's only a friendly but you can't ask for a better result by the U.S. They've also won four in a row overall, this should build some great momentum heading into a busy summer and World Cup 2014 qualifying plus the 2012 Olympics.

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U.S. Men vs. Italy 1st Half Live Blog

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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Voters Do The Right Thing: Elect Claudio Reyna & Tony Meola To U.S. Soccer Hall Of Fame

This afternoon, former U.S. men's national team captain Claudio Reyna and three-time World Cup goalkeeper Tony Meola were elected to the National Hall of Fame class of 2012 via the player ballot.

In addition, former men's player Desmond Armstrong (veteran's ballot) and legendary former women's national team head coach Tony DiCicco (builder ballot) were also part of the Class of 2012.

The ceremony will take place at a time and location to be announced this summer. Before or at halftime of the U.S. men vs. Scotland friendly in May in Landover, MD makes sense but stay tuned for those details.

From ussoccer.com
Reyna, who currently serves as U.S. Soccer’s Youth Technical Director, played for the U.S. National Team for 13 straight years from 1994-2006 and was a member of four FIFA World Cup teams. He earned 112 caps while scoring eight goals and recording 19 career assists. Reyna also had a 13-year career in Europe, playing for Premier League sides Manchester City and Sunderland and the Scottish Premier League’s Glasgow Rangers.

“It’s an incredible honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Reyna. “Soccer has been my life from the moment I could walk. You don’t think or play for these type of recognitions but it is a tremendous honor and I want to thank my former teammates, former coaches and everybody else close to me, especially my family, who supported me – from those who drove me all over as a youth player to my wife and children who have been here my whole career. From a player’s standpoint, it kind of caps things off for me, so it’s definitely an honor and something that I’m proud of.”

Meola was a member of three U.S. World Cup squads, serving as the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper for the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups and then as a reserve in 2002. In 12 years, between 1988 and 2006, Meola earned 100 caps and 32 shutouts (second all-time behind Kasey Keller), while recording 37 victories. Meola was one of the top goalkeepers in Major League Soccer, highlighted by his 2000 campaign with the Kansas City Wizards that included an MLS Cup, MLS MVP, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Cup MVP accolades.

“It’s certainly the greatest honor you can have in your chosen profession, to be mentioned in the same breath as the great people that were before you and one day the great ones that will come after you,” Meola said. “I’m certainly humbled and I’m honored, and I’m thrilled to think that somebody actually thought I was worthy of it.”

Armstrong garnered 81 caps in 73 starts in his eight years with the National Team from 1987-1994. His 2,128 minutes in 1993 rank second all-time for one year behind only fellow 1993 defender Mike Lapper (2,205). He played in all three matches during the USA’s trip to the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

DiCicco set an unprecedented standard, posting a Women’s National Team-record 103 victories in 119 matches during his head coaching tenure from 1994-1999. DiCicco memorably led his squad to the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship against China on July 10 in front of a sellout crowd of 90,185 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

I won't complain since they still got an overwhelming majority of the vote but I have no clue how Reyna (96.08%) and Meola (90.20%) didn't get 100%. I realize that's impossible with human beings but nobody had more influence on U.S. men's soccer in the 1990s than these two and they deserved that further honor. Oh well.

2012 Player Ballot Results
Claudio Reyna 96.08 %
Tony Meola 90.20
Marco Etcheverry 58.82
Joe-Max Moore 57.84
Shannon MacMillan 49.02
Carlos Valderrama 43.14
Cindy Parlow 36.27
Peter Vermes 35.29
Chris Armas 34.31
Jason Kreis 30.39
* Only includes top 10 in votes received

2012 Veteran Ballot Results
Desmond Armstrong 53.66 %
Teofilo Cubillas 51.22
John Doyle 51.22
Glenn Myernick 48.78
Linda Hamilton 43.90
Shep Messing 39.02
Mike Sorber 39.02
George Best 31.71
Brian Quinn 26.83
Bill McPherson 14.63
Steve Trittschuh 14.63

2012 Builder Ballot Results
Tony DiCicco 61.22 %
Francisco Marcos 48.98
Chuck Blazer 44.90
Bob Bradley 40.82
Don Garber 40.82
Sigi Schmid 38.78
Fritz Marth 20.41
Dr. Robert Contiguglia 16.33

Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

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Breaking Down Italy's Squad For Tomorrow's Friendly Vs. The U.S.

I will be the first to admit that I can't stomach watching Serie A because of all its constant flopping, whining and lack of goals so I'm not nearly as up to date on Italian club soccer as I am on the English Premier League. Still, the Champions League proves year after year that Italian teams like AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Roma etc. are always some of the top ones in Europe.

What follows is Italy's roster for tomorrow's match vs. the United States tomorrow at 2:45 ET (ESPN 2, ESPN3.com).

Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain)
Defenders: Emiliano Viviano (Palermo; Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St Petersburg), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter Milan), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
Forwards: Fabio Borini (Roma), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter Milan).

You'll notice that Mario Balotelli-Italy's talented striker-isn't on the roster which is good news for U.S. fans. The Manchester City star is one of the best goal-scorers in the world but he's also the biggest clown in professional soccer. He recently served a four-game suspension in the EPL for stepping on an opposing player and reports say that Italian coach Cesare Prandelli sent Balotelli on his way after breaking a team rule in training camp.

The other familiar name for U.S. soccer fans that you won't see on the field tomorrow for Italy is Giuseppe Rossi. The talented striker that was born in New Jersey and plays for Villareal but chose to compete for Italy rather than the United States. He's out with an injury.

Italy has always favored the 4-4-2 formation (four defenders, four midfielders, two strikers) so I expect them to roll that out tomorrow in Genoa. The main reason that they have been so routinely good is that they have a system and they stick to it. They're always one of if not the best defensive national team and their midfielders are excellent at possessing and distributing to talented guys up front.

Buffon is getting up their in age (34) but he's generally regarded as the top goalkeeper in the world. If the U.S. can put a goal or dare I say two, they'll be in great shape. De Rossi is emerging as Italy's next great midfielder while Pirlo is one of my favorite midfielders to watch based on his workrate and sublime crosses.

By far, this will the U.S.' toughest test thus far in the up and down Jurgen Klinsmann era (4-4-1 overall, 7 goals scored, 7 goals allowed). The good news for American fans is that all the pressure will be on Italy since they're at home and they're more highly regarded than the U.S. It's all about getting off to a solid start; if Italy scores a goal or two in the first half, the U.S. will probably have no chance to recover. Conversely, if it's scoreless at the half or if somehow the U.S. finds themselves leading at the break, anything is possible.

Missing Donovan and Jones will definitely hurt the U.S. while Torres and Chandler at this point are much more replaceable. Donovan is one of their best players and Jones has become an interesting option in the middle of the field. To make up for those absences, the U.S.' best players like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra and Jozy Altidore all need to play well in Genoa. If one or more of them have less than decent performances, it will be tough for the U.S. to overcome that.

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