CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, February 23, 2012) – LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan and forward Edson Buddle were two of 21 players named to the U.S. National Team roster for the upcoming international friendly against Italy. U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann named the complete roster, which will meet up next week in Italy, earlier today. The duo are scheduled to fly to Italy on Sunday ahead of the game on Wednesday, February 29. They will then rejoin the rest of their Galaxy teammates in Southern California ahead of the first leg of the 2011/12 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal game on March 7 against Toronto FC at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The U.S. takes on four-time World Cup champion Italy at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa, Italy on February 29. The game, which is being broadcast live by ESPN 2, ESPN 3 and Galavision, kicks off at 11:30 a.m PT.
Donovan, who led the Galaxy in scoring in 2011 with 16 goals in all competitions, has made 138 career appearances with the U.S. National Team since making his debut in 2000, and holds the U.S. records for most goals with 46 and assists with 47. Last year’s MLS Cup MVP, Donovan has faced the Italians three times during his career, including once in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and then again at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Buddle, who has never faced the Italians, has made 10 career appearances with the U.S. National Team, including nine since 2010 when a remarkable start with the Galaxy— he scored nine of the club’s first 10 goals that year— catapulted him into a spot on the 2010 FIFA World Cup roster. He made four appearances with the national team in 2011, including starts in August against Mexico and November against Slovenia, against who he scored in the ninth minute of a 3-2 win on the road. Buddle has three career goals with the National Team.
Buddle, Donovan and the rest of the LA Galaxy will play their first official game of 2012 on Wednesday, March 7 when they face Toronto FC in the first leg of their 2011/12 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal, which will be played at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They will open the 2012 MLS season three days later on Saturday, March 10 when they host Real Salt Lake at The Home Depot Center in MLS First Kick 2012, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. That game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and tickets are on sale now as part of season ticket packages as well as three and six-game plans. For more information about this game or to purchase tickets, please visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets.
