Fabio Capello names Russia squad for friendly versus United States

The United States' friendly in Russia next week will be an interesting test for the Americans. Fabio Capello's 4-3-3, which is somewhat conservative, but opportunistic and features an experienced and familiar midfield makes them stylistically different than ant team that the U.S. has played under Jurgen Klinsmann. Unless both teams completely punt on the match, we are certain to learn at least a thing or two about the Americans.

One thing we know now is that Russia is taking the match seriously. Capello has named a full strength squad for the match, with the exception of Andrei Arshavin or Pavel Pogrebnyak, who are not exactly Capello favorites and may not even be in the manager's long-term plans. Otherwise, with Igor Denisov, Viktor Faizulin and Roman Shirokov in the team, giving Russia that fantastic midfield, and first choice players all over, Capello has named his best team.

The U.S. will name their roster after the weekend, but regardless, this will be a major challenge for the U.S. They are a team that has had a perfect run in World Cup qualifying so far, including a win over Portugal, and are bringing their best.

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Alexander Belenov (Kuban), Vladimir Gabulov (Anzhi Makhachkala).

Defenders: Alexander Anyukov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alexei Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow), Vasily Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat (Dynamo Moscow), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Renat Yanbaev (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alexei Yeshchenko (Lokomotiv Moscow).

Midfielders: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Spartak Moscow), Vladimir Bystrov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Denis Cheryshev (Real Madrid), Igor Denisov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Viktor Faizulin (Zenit St. Petersburg), Denis Glushakov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Dmitry Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Magomed Ozdoev (Lokomotiv Moscow), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Roman Shirokov (Zenit St. Petersburg).

Forwards: Artyom Dzyuba (Spartak Moscow), Maxim Grigoryev (Lokomotiv Moscow), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Fyodor Smolov (Anzhi Makhachkala).