Former USA striker Brian McBride says the current day players will have to deal with potential mind games that the Italian national team may employ.

The US are away to the Azzurri in Genoa in a friendly on Wednesday night and after experiencing the Italians firsthand in the 2006 World Cup, ex-Fulham ace McBride says Jurgen Klinsmann's side must be ready for some tricks from Cesare Prandelli's charges.

"When you play Italy, you've got to be smart enough to not get involved in some of the mental sides of the game that they're very smart at," McBride told ussoccer.com.

"They get you out of your game both individually and as a team. We didn't get distracted. I thought we played a very smart and together game."

On that occasion in June 2006 in Kaiserslautern, the US recorded a 1-1 draw with the eventual champions and McBride admits it was a solid showing from a team who really came together against a much superior opponent.

"I don't think we were satisfied necessarily with the result," McBride added. "I think we were more satisfied with the fact that we really played together as a team."

 The game is about opinions. Make yours heard! Join the tribalfootball.com nation on Facebook today: Facebook.com/tribalfootball