Real Salt Lake’s Rimando among U.S. players headed to Italy

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Feb 23 2012 09:12 am • Last Updated Feb 25 2012 04:43 pm

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando is among the 21 players selected by Jurgen Klinsmann to join the U.S. Men’s National Team for the match against four-time World Cup champion Italy on Feb. 29 in Genoa.

Kickoff for the teams’ first meeting on Italian soil since 2002 is set for 12:45 p.m. (MT). The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision.

Thirteen players return from the group that defeated Slovenia 3-2 in Ljubljana, including all three goalscorers — Edson Buddle, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore.

"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 dating back to the 3-2 victory on Nov. 15, 2011, against Slovenia. "I’m excited about getting everybody together and challenging a world-class team like former World Cup winner Italy on their home soil. I think we have put a very competitive roster together. This roster was co-developed with the U-23 team because we wanted them to have a great preparation game before they go into Olympic qualifying in March. Our roster is highly competitive and ready to give them a real fight."

The U.S. has collected three consecutive victories, including a pair of shutout wins against Venezuela and Panama to open the 2012 campaign. In addition to providing a series of activities designed to develop individual player pathways, Klinsmann has given 41 players at least one cap through his nine games as head coach.

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