USA vs. Italy, International Friendly: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, and Match Thread

Welcome to your live thread as the United States Men’s’ National Team takes on Italy in the final match of 2018 at the neutral location of Genk, Belgium (2:45 p.m. ET, FS1). This is most likely the last game Dave Sarachan will be in the head coaching role for the Yanks. Rumors continue to spread that Gregg Berhalter will fill the position, but Sarachan will have to get his team ready to face Italy first.

The U.S. has only ever beaten Italy once — 1-0 in the last meeting in February 2012. Clint Dempsey scored the sole goal of that match, which featured Brek Shea, Sacha Kljestan, and Jonathan Spector.

Italy holds a record of 5-1-3 vs. the Americans. While the first two matches were 7-1 and 10-0 blowouts, the rest of the games were decided by no more than two goals. The most famous meeting between the U.S. and Italy came back in the 2006 World Cup.

Alberto Gilardino scored in the 22nd minute from a diving header off a perfectly placed cross from Andrea Pirlo. Daniele De Rossi got a red card after elbowing Brian McBride. McBride had blood everywhere but got his face wrapped up and stayed in the game. Cristian Zaccardo scored an own goal on an American free kick to tie the game at one. Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope were also ejected.

The Yanks were outmatched against England last week. The talented England squad, led by Jesse Lingard, put up three goals, and the U.S. struggled to get anything going. Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, and Weston McKennie finally got playing time together, albeit for only 15 minutes. McKennie left camp with a hamstring injury, so the three won’t get more playing time together today. With Adams playing in the MLS Eastern Conference finals this weekend, don’t expect a 90-minute performance from him, either.

Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini brought in a young squad as the Italians look to get back to the World Cup. Still, the U.S. will struggle to get by Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. Even if the duo doesn’t play, Alessio Romagnoli and Daniele Rugani will not be much easier to break down for the Americans.

Rosters

USA (Caps/Goals)

Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 60/0), Jonathan Klinsmann (Hertha Berlin/GER), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0).

Defenders (9): John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 36/3), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 1/0), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City/WAL; 6/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 1/0), Matt Miazga (Nantes/FRA; 11/1), Shaq Moore (Reus Deportiu/ESP; 4/0), Jorge Villafaña (Portland Timbers; 20/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 57/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 3/1).

Midfielders (10): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 22/2), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 8/1), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 5/0), Romain Gall (Malmö/SWE; 0/0), Julian Green (Greuther Fürth/GER; 15/4), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 4/1), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 22/9), Kenny Saief (Anderlecht/BEL; 3/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 10/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA; 8/1).

Forwards (2): Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 5/2), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96/GER; 44/13)

Italy (Caps/Goals)

Goalkeepers (3):  Alessio Cragno (Cagliari; 0/0), Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan; 11/0), Salvatore Sirigu (Torino; 18/0).

Defenders (8): Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina; 4/1), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus; 84/6), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus; 100/8), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus; 36/0), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma; 31/2), Emerson Palmieri (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0), Alessio Romagnoli (AC Milan; 8/0), Daniele Rugani (Juventus; 7/0).

Midfielders (7): Nicolò Barella (Cagliari; 3/0), Roberto Gagliardini (Inter Milan; 5/0), Jorginho (Chelsea/ENG; 13/1), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma; 9/0), Stefano Sensi (Sassuolo; 0/0), Sandro Tonali (Brescia; 0/0), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA; 28/1).

Forwards (8): Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo; 4/0), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina; 10/0), Vincenzo Grifo (Hoffenheim/GER; 0/0), Ciro Immobile (Lazio; 35/7), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli; 30/4), Kevin Lasagna (Udinese; 2/0), Matteo Politano (Inter Milan; 1/0), Leonardo Pavoletti (Cagliari; 0/0).

How to Watch

Match Time: 2:45 p.m. (ET).

Venue: Luminus Arena — Genk, Belgium.

TV: FS1, UDN.

Streaming: FOX Sports GO, Univision NOW.

Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @StarsStripesFC, @ussoccer_mnt, and @TheManeLand.

Match Thread Rules

This is your live thread for posting comments on the match. So use our comments section below to talk about the game in real time with other supporters. If you’re new, welcome to our happy home! While you’re here, please observe a few basic rules:

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Enjoy the match! Go America!