U.S. men's team announces 21-man squad for Italy friendly

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U.S. men's team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named a squad of 21 players to prepare for the match against four-time World Cup champion Italy on Feb. 29 in Genoa.

The match takes place on the first FIFA international fixture date of 2012, which allowed Klinsmann to select all available players. Since his hiring in July, Klinsmann has given 41 players at least one cap through his nine games as head coach.

"We're looking forward to having all the European-based players back in the roster and picking up where we left off with them from the Slovenia game," said Klinsmann, who is on a three-match winning streak.

A total of 13 players return from the group that defeated Slovenia 3-2 in Ljubljana back in November, including all three goalscorers: Edson Buddle, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. Since that game the U.S. has defeated Venezuela and Panama while playing with the 'B' squad.

"I'm excited about getting everybody together and challenging a world-class team like former World Cup winner Italy on their home soil," Klinsmann said. "I think we have put a very competitive roster together."

The current roster consists of both senior players and the U-23 players who will begin Olympic qualifying at the end of March. Altidore and Terrence Boyd are among the youngsters expected to compete with the Olympic team.

"We wanted them to have a great preparation game before they go into Olympic qualifying in March," Klinsmann said. "Our roster is highly competitive and ready to give them a real fight."

The biggest surprise of the roster is Boyd, who will seek to earn his first cap. The Borussia Dortmund-based striker has been a regular part of the U-23 team. Also, Jose Torres returns to the U.S. fold after recovering from a foot injury he suffered last September.

The Italy match will be especially special for Michael Bradley. The midfielder is the lone U.S. international playing in Italy, becoming a fixture in the lineup for Chievo in Serie A since moving there last summer. He has started 22 straight league matches.

The U.S. team has lined up a series of friendlies for this summer in preparation for the start of World Cup qualifying. The team returns to Jacksonville for the start of its critical summer campaign when it faces Scotland on May 26 at EverBank Field.

The U.S. will also host Brazil and Canada prior to the beginning of World Cup qualifying in June. It kicks off the effort to qualify for its seventh-consecutive FIFA World Cup when it hosts Antigua & Barbuda on June 8 at Raymond James Stadium.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7):Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

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