While you are getting ready for bed ...

The team will be heading to the airport in Bilbao. By the time we got back to the hotel and finished dinner it was just before 2 a.m., and the bus departs for the airport at 5 a.m. sharp. It's an hour flight to Barcelona, then a nearly nine-hour hop to New York.

Your Starters vs. Spain

Here is tonight's lineup vs. fourth-ranked Spain:

Howard

Cherundolo Onyewu Bocanegra Pearce

Edu Bradley

Dempsey Lewis

Johnson Adu

Three changes to the starting group that appeared against England a week ago. Maurice Edu slots into central midfield in place of Ricardo Clark, while Eddie Lewis will patrol the left flank instead of DaMarcus Beasley. Up top, it's Freddy Adu replacing Josh Wolff to pair alongside Eddie Johnson.

Down to 18

U.S. head coach Bob Bradley has indicated that Domini Cervi and Nate Jaqua will not be dressing for tonight's match against Spain, reducing the USA's match day roster to 18 players. Check back at 9 p.m. ET to get the exclusive look at the team's Starting XI for the showdown with Spain....

SPAIN ON A ROLL

To say the least ...

The fourth-ranked Spaniards are unbeaten in their last 16 matches dating back to November of 2006, compiling a 14-0-2 record during that span. Some of their victims include England, defending European champions Greece, France, and last but not least, current World Cup title holders Italy. While famed for their attacking prowess, Spain also present a menacing defense that has conceded only six goals and recorded 11 shutouts in the current streak.

Yesterday's Training

Here are pictures for yesterday's training session which took place in Estadio El Sardinero. The stadium is a small, compact ground that should provide a good atmosphere come tonight's match. ussoccer.com also has a podcast featuring Tim Howard, Eddie Lewis, and Carlos Bocanegra. Listen to the full clip here.

Q&A - Mo Knows - The Answers

You asked, he answered. Thanks everybody for writing in question to Toronto FC's Maurice Edu. Here goes:

Now, with the addition of so much attacking talent to TFC's midfield, you seem to be taking on a more holding midfield role. With the under 23's, you have even been used as a pure defender? Do you feel this has stifled your offensive growth? Do you see yourself as consistently capable of a more offensive "box to box" performance with the MNT?

Mo: "I see myself as a "box to box" midfielder - I try to break up as many plays as I can defensively, but I also like to get forward if I can. At the same time though, it is not tough for me to play in different positions depending on what the coach wants or the team needs. Playing in the back you see less of the ball, which is something that you have to get used to quickly. You also have the ability to see the whole field, which gives you a different perspective from playing in the midfield."

What was the greatest moment you have experienced thus far in your soccer career?

Mo: "My first professional game against Kansas City is up there. We ended up losing, but its a moment that I'll never forget. Of course there's also my first national team game, which came against Switzerland in October of last year. I wasn't expecting to get called up so that was a surprise in itself. But starting in the game, our team going on to win against a tough Switzerland team - all those things combined made the trip a great experience."


Who has been your toughest midfield opponent (individually not team) in both domestic and international competitions?

Mo: "Playing against Shalrie Joseph is always a good battle. He's dominant in that position and a huge physical presence. Dwayne DeRosario is crafty on the ball and a smart player as well. I once played against Rui Costa when our team [Toronto] played Benfica in a friendly. It was impossible to get close to him - he was great on the ball and his vision was incredible. You think he would have slowed down, being older, but then he gets the ball and he won't let anyone on the other team near him. "


What made you play soccer growing up as opposed to any other sports?
Mo: "Everyone in my family played soccer, so naturally I started playing from a young age. It was always what I wanted to do and there were other sports that I played from time to time, but nothing as serious as soccer."


If you could play in any stadium in the world, which would you choose to play in?
Mo: Well first go back to last week - playing in Wembley was everything I imagined it would be. You walk out there and get chills, and to play against England was great. It would have been much better if we won, but just playing on that field was something I will always remember.

I'd love to pay in Old Trafford - there is so much history there. Man-U is a great team and I've always been a fan. I went there when I was younger, 13 or 14, and then again with my college team. We saw games there as well, the first time against Blackburn and then against Newcastle United. Watching Paul Scholes live was amazing. I've always respected what he brings to the game, and to see what he does without the ball, the way he is always moving, was really impressive. "

Who's your team for Euro 2008?
Mo: "I like Spain. They've always had a good team, but you always hear about them never really getting it right on the big stage. It'd be nice to see them achieve that now and they've got such a talented team that could really do it. As a backup, I'd have to say France."

What city would you like to see join MLS?

Mo: "Montreal would be fun, and they would have a good fan base as well. The city is a bit different from Toronto. It's very European. I think it'd be great to have that huge rivalry across the country. "

What is it like living in Canada?
Mo: "Really, it isn't that much different from the States. There are lots of European influences and Toronto is so multicultural. There's a good mixture of different cultures and soccer is really popular. Games are sold out and the fans have a great appreciation for the sport. Of course, off the field Toronto is great too. "

We Meet Again ...

While this is only the third time the U.S. and Spain have played at the full international level, four members of the U.S. squad faced off against the Spaniards in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria. After advancing to the knockout phase by finishing second in their group with victories against England and Cameroon, the USA faced Spain in the Round of 16 on April 15, 1999 in Port Harcourt. Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Danny Califf and Tim Howard lined up that day for the U.S., while Barcelona midfielder Xavi started in midfield and current Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas stood in reserve. The U.S. spotted Spain three goals before Taylor Twellman got two back, but Spain held on for a 3-2 win and eventually captured the tournament title with a convincing 4-0 win against Japan in the final. Runners up Japan were the only other team to beat the U.S. during the event.

If you have time, check out the USA's roster for that Spain match. Interesting stroll down memory lane ...

The Full Names

Spain's roster is loaded with star-studded talent, most of whom you will recognize by name, and certainly by club. As in many countries, their popular names aren't their complete names, so we figured we'd give you a look at the official list:

Goalkeepers:
Andrés Palop Cervera(Sevilla F.C. S.A.D.)
José Manuel Reina Páez(Liverpool F.C. )
Iker Casillas Fernández(Real Madrid C.F.)

Defenders:
Raúl Albiol Tortajada(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Joan Capdevila Méndez(Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.)
Carles Puyol Saforcada(F.C. Barcelona)
Sergio Ramos García(Real Madrid C.F.)
Juan Gutiérrez Moreno(Real Betis Balompié S.A.D.)
Carlos López Marchena(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Álvaro Arbeloa Coca(Liverpool C.F.)
Fernando Navarro Corbacho(R.C.D. Mallorca)

Midfielders:
Marcos Antonio Senna Da Silva(Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.)
David Jiménez Silva(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Xavier Hernández Creus(F.C. Barcelona )
Andrés Iniesta Luján(F.C. Barcelona )
Francesc Fabregas Soler(Arsenal F.C.)
Xabier Alonso Olano(Liverpool F.C.)
Rubén de la Red Gutiérrez(Getafe C.F. S.A.D)
Sergio García de la Fuente(Real Zaragoza S.A.D.)
Santiago Cazorla González(Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.)

Forwards:
David Villa Sánchez(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Fernando José Torres Sanz(Liverpool F.C.)
Daniel Gonzalez Güiza(R.C.D Mallorca S.A.D.)

TT - Ancient History

When the U.S. kicks off against Spain on Wednesday night, it will end a 16-year break of international matches between the nations. That got us wondering what is the longest interval between games for the U.S. and an opponent that they have played at least twice in history. For example, we have only played North Korea once, so we don't count that in the streak. For this trivia time we'll even give you a hint - it's not Spain. Prior to the 1992 meeting in Valladolid, the teams had not faced off since the 1950 World Cup. While 42 years seems a likely candidate for the answer here, it's not even close.

Get out the history books and the calculators, and have at it ...

Visit from Ambassador Aguirre

Today at lunch Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre, Jr. visited the team, driving up from Madrid to wish the guys luck before the game on Wednesday. Ambassador Aguirre, who has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain since 2005, emigrated to the United States from Cuba as an "unaccompanied minor" when he was 15 years old. The ambassador is the former director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and said that though he was unable to stay for the game (Ambassadors work, you know) he would most certainly be watching on TV back in Spain's capital.