A 55th minute goal from Clint Dempsey gave the United States their first win against Italy, a 1-0 result in Genoa. Tim Howard picked up the shutout in a game where Italy strung together multiple passing moves but had trouble looking dangerous with their final touch. That trouble worsened when Fabian Johnson found Jozy Altidore at the top of the box to start the scoring sequence. Altidore laid the ball off to Dempsey who beat Gianluigi Buffon for the game's only goal.
“It’s a work in progress," Dempsey said. "We try to get there. For good spells, we were under it today, having to defend a lot, especially in the second half. When we got the ball, we did show quality. I think we just need to do a better job of being on the front foot, keeping the ball, playing with confidence. The more chances we create, the more goals we’re going to get. I like to think that we’re closing the gap and hopefully one day we can do something special.”
USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann kept his starting lineup in place late into the game, waiting until the 72nd minute to sub on Sacha Kljestan and bringing on Jonathan Spector in the 76th minute. Spector proved up to the task, winning the ball in the US box on several occasions. Klinsmann also gave Terrence Boyd his debut, bringing him on in the 78th minute in place of Altidore.
“We are really pleased with the game and with the result,” Klinsmann said. “If you beat Italy on its own soil, then that means a lot. For us, the goal was to come here to learn. The challenge that this game gave us, especially on the tactical side – to read the game ahead, to think one step ahead – for our players, it was big. It was a big step for them to be constantly on high alert for 90 minutes.”
-- GAME REPORT --
Match: USA vs. Italy
Date: Feb. 29, 2012
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris – Genoa, Italy
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET
Attendance: 15,000
Weather: 48 degrees, fog
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Italy 0 0 0
USA 0 1 1
USA – Clint Dempsey (Jozy Altidore) 55th minute
Lineups:
USA : 1-Tim Howard; 2-Steve Cherundolo, 4-Clarence Goodson, 5-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 3-Fabian Johnson (13-Jonathan Spector, 77); 6-Michael Bradley, 8-Maurice Edu; 7-Danny Williams,10-Clint Dempsey (17-Edson Buddle, 90), 11-Brek Shea (16-Sacha Kljestan, 73); 9-Jozy Altidore (18-Terrence Boyd, 79)
Subs not used: 12-Nick Rimando, 14-Michael Parkhurst, 15-Geoff Cameron
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
ITA : 1-Gianluigi Buffon (capt.); 2-Christian Maggio (5-Daniel De Rossi, 71), 15-Andrea Barzagli, 20-Angelo Obinze Ogbonna, 4-Domenico Criscito (3-Giorgio Chiellini, 46); 13-Thiago Motta (7-Gianpaolo Pazzini, 59), 21-Andrea Pirlo, 8-Claudio Marchisio (11-Ignazio Abate, 71), 23-Antonio Nocerino (18-Riccardo Montolivo, 46); 9-Alessandro Matri (22-Fabio Borini, 59), 10-Sebastian Giovinco
Subs not used: 6-Federico Balzaretti, 14-Davide Astori, 16-Salvatore Sirigu, 17-Emiliano Viviano, 19-Leonardo Bonucci, 24-Morgan De Sanctis
Head coach: Cesare Prandelli
Stats Summary: USA / ITA
Shots: 4 / 19
Shots on Goal: 2 / 7
Saves: 7 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 8
Fouls: 15 / 11
Offside: 0 / 9
Misconduct Summary:
ITA – Giorgio Chiellini 67th minute
USA – Carlos Bocanegra 68th minute
Officials:
Referee: Firat Aydinus (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Serkan Ok (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Aleks Tascioglu (TUR)
Fourth Official: Andrea De Marco (ITA)
