Top 5 USMNT v Italy Match-ups To Watch

As promised, here is a Confederations Cup kickoff T5L to get you all set for tomorrow. I will be doing a detailed LIVE so all you 9-to-5'ers won't miss a single shot, save or smarmy wisecrack.

This time around, I'm basically tabbing the most important positional showdowns that await for Monday's World Cup 2006 rematch with Italy.

Some of my book for these choices can be read from that meeting, but considering that contest turned into an oddball near halftime, the trend sheet is shortened.

Being that Italy face the U.S. first and Brazil last in group play, I am assuming that Marcelo Lippi will send out his top available line-up in the opener. The manager has asserted his desire to win this trophy on several occasions and having Egypt as the middle game allows him to freshen star legs.

I've made my picks based on my stab at both formations and line-ups. I was so close to the U.S. starters last time that I'm feeling good about what I've guessed the teams will do.

Of course, I say all this and now how he'll throw us out there in a "3-4-3 Rhombus" and make obsolete 80% my list...

#5 - Clint Dempsey v. Fabio Grosso

At World Cup 2006, MC Deuce did a fine job occupying Gianluca Zambrotta for about an hour until leaving in a tactical switch that gave the Azzurri ace a fast track down the wing for the remainder. The next match saw Zambrotta switched to the right side, and Grosso went on to be a key player as Italy won the title.

The Lyon star likes to raid the opposite end even more freely than Zambrotta, so Dempsey should find a little room to run on the counter - but he will also need to be more vigilant in denying Grosso's outlet lanes when Italy is on the ball. Expect Jonathan Spector to provide some help.

Grosso can blow you apart or be taken out of the game and everything in between... not unlike his opposite here.

#4 - Jozy Altidore v Gianluigi Buffon

It may not happen often, but chances are Altidore will get a good look at goal at some point in the match. With the Italy fullbacks eager to push forward, there should be an opportunity to get off some crosses.

Thanks to terrific body control in the air, the teen phenom has already shown USMNT fans that he can direct a header firmly and shrewdly. He will need both to beat Gianluigi Buffon with a nod.

Of course, Jozy also can slip away from his man on the dribble and provide a dangerous long ball target. If he does have the occasion to break in on Buffon, timing is nearly everything. The long-armed Italy keeper closes down the shooter quickly, so both decision and release must be prompt.

#3 - Landon Donovan and whoever starts at left back v Gianluca Zambrotta

Some might consider this a cheat, but I disagree. Donovan will need to run his tail off, providing more defensive work and close cooperation in moving the ball forward with Bornstein, Pearce, Beasley, Regis, O'Brien, Mayor McCheese, the guy with the glasses in the Verizon ads, Heckle, Jeckle or whomever the coach stations out in left field.

All things being equal, I'd select Heath Pearce for this assignment. Of course, his lack of recent games kinda tilts the needle towards Jonathan Bornstein. It would be difficult to fault coach Bradley either way, but either way, I'd highly suggest dressing the back-up. This is not the match-up for improvisation if a replacement is required.

#2 - Carlos Bocanegra v. Alberto Gilardino

Most U.S. fans may focus on the possibility of Oguchi Onyewu and Luca Toni clashing as they did three years ago on top of a mountain in Kaiserslautern. Naturally such a battle would be key, but Gooch matches up well with the Bayern striker. However, the quicker, snakier Gilardino will present the U.S. skipper with a very tricky assignment.

Footwork and anticipation will be key for Bocanegra, because every lost step is a problem against the Fiorentina forward - and he surely doesn't need all the room in the world to begin with, as acrobatic a finisher as he is.

It's also wise to stay fully alert, because if there is a guy in Italy's strike pool that can disappear for 87 minutes and then destroy you, it's Gilardino. Being that 'Los is in doubt, this might shoot up to a co-#1 if Jay DeMerit gets the call.

#1 - Michael Bradley v. Daniele De Rossi

We can go on and on about tactics and wingbacks and run of play offense 'til Tuesday, but the fact remains that the game emanates from central station. The result could hinge on which of these two-way tooth-and-nail battlers can get behind the other with the ball more often.

Bradley will need to choose his steps wisely and make his decisions quickly, perhaps in addition to evading the seemingly inevitable chippy play by De Rossi.

And not only will he be without the lightning quick cover of Mo Edu, but Bradley could well be charged with dispensing his outlet passes from inside a collapsing triangle composed of DDR, Pirlo and Genarro Gattuso. May the sling of your arrows be true, Mikey, because you are the pressure valve on Monday.

And just to get you fired up for "the return leg"...




- Greg Seltzer