Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012 Final: Reds Beaten 2-1 By Michael Bradley And Italians In The Hub

For the second time in three years, Fenway Park played host to a soccer match between two foreign clubs on their preseason tours. This year, it was Liverpool FC and AS Roma contesting the Football at Fenway competition, and Roma emerged the victors by a score of 2-1.

Roma jumped ahead on second-half goals from Michael Bradley and Alessandro Florenzi, while Liverpool was forced to settle for a consolation goal from Charlie Adam before succumbing to defeat. Bradley, a US international, went the full 90 minutes in the win.

"I think he played a good game," said Roma manager Zdenek Zeman of Bradley, through a translator. "He is a player who works hard, he did well, and he kept his tempo very high."

The first half featured spells of dominance for Liverpool with a great number of chances created. JonJo Shelvey, Joe Cole, Raheem Sterling, and Nathan Eccleston all had decent chances to put the Reds ahead, but were unable to capitalize.

Roma, meanwhile, appeared content to play a slightly more defensive game, sitting back and waiting for their opportunities. That did not stop the Italians from nearly striking first through the efforts of Nicolas Lopez and Panagiotis Tachtsidis.

The second half was a different story, though, as the match opened up and the goals flew in. Bradley opened Roma's account in the 63rd, followed by young midfielder Florenzi's effort in the 69th. Adam saved Liverpool's blushes in the 80th with an excellent effort.

"I think that as far as the performance is concerned, we played better in the first half," said Zeman. "We were more disciplined on the pitch. But of course it's important to score goals in order to win games.

Bradley appeared to be settling in well with his new teammates. In addition to the goal, he nearly had an assist in the 57th minute when his perfectly-weighted through ball beat Daniel Pacheco and found Aleandro Rosi streaking into the area. Unfortunately, the defender skied his shot when he really should have done better.

Otherwise, it was a typical all-action performance from Bradley as he helped set the tempo for his side.

"Seeing [Bradley] on the pitch and in training I can certainly say that he is a great person," said Florenzi of Bradley, also through a translator. "On the pitch he is a fighter. He gives his best effort, and I also think that he is very skilled."

Both teams will leave the Hub in the coming days to continue their US tours as they prepare for the new European season. The experience of playing in the Cathedral of Boston, though, is something that has obviously affected the players on both sides.

"I said to the players before the game, you know, when you're fifty-odd, you'll be able to tell your grandkids and whatnot that you played actual football at Fenway Park," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after the match. "And that's something that'll stay with them."

Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012 Update: Charlie Adam Claws One Back For Liverpool

After watching AS Roma dominate most of the second half, it would appear that Liverpool has woken from its stupor and is now making its way back into the match. That effort was helped considerably by the left foot of Charlie Adam, who hit the target in the 80th minute to cut the Reds' deficit in half.

John Flanagan made a marauding run down the right flank and sent in a cross. It missed everyone in the middle of the box but came to Daniel Pacheco wide on the left, who took a couple of quick touches inside. Spying the run of Adam, Pacheco played a lateral ball and the Scottish playmaker made no mistake, blistering the ball low to the far post and past Tomas Svedkauskas for Liverpool's first goal of the match.

The goal sets the stage for an exciting final ten minutes as Roma try to hang on while Liverpool press for an equalizer.

For more coverage, visit our soccer hub and check SB Nation Boston for continued updates.

Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012 Update: Alessandro Florenzi Strikes Quickly To Put Italians Ahead 2-0

After pulling ahead to a 1-0 lead in the second half through the efforts of USA international Michael Bradley, AS Roma put the foot firmly on the gas pedal in an effort to put the match out of reach for Liverpool FC at Fenway Park on Wednesday night. Alessandro Florenzi doubled the Italians' advantage in the 69th minute, cleaning up a rebound with Brad Jones stranded off his line.

Erik Lamela nearly put the goal away himself when he was played through excellently and found himself one-on-one with Jones in the area. The Aussie keeper did well to come out and cover his angles, however, and saved the initial effort. The rebound skipped into the middle of the area, though, and there Florenzi was able to drill it home with an emphatic finish.

After a first half dominated by Liverpool, Roma does appear to have the English giants' number for the moment.

For more coverage, visit our soccer hub and check SB Nation Boston for continuing updates.

Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012 Update: Michael Bradley Opens Scoring, Roma Ahead 1-0

As Liverpool and AS Roma entered the second half of their preseason Football at Fenway clash, the inevitable wave of substitutions began and fans could have been forgiven for thinking that the game would become slow and disjointed. Instead, USA international and newly-minted Roma player Michael Bradley turned the game upside down to put the Italian giants ahead 1-0 in the 63rd minute.

Liverpool were the ascendant side for most of the match, but in the early stages of the second half, it appeared that Roma were beginning to get their legs underneath them. Then, in the 63rd minute, substitute Erik Lamela dribbled across the top of the area and played a deceptive through ball to an onrushing Bradley. The young American midfielder charged into the area before drilling a low shot toward the far post. The ball cut across the face of Brad Jones' goal and pinged in off the far woodwork to give Roma the lead.

For more coverage, visit our Soccer Hub and check SB Nation Boston for continuing updates.

Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012 Update: Clubs Deadlocked 0-0 At Half

Football at Fenway kicked off to a fairly exciting start, but nevertheless Liverpool FC and AS Roma entered the locker rooms on Wednesday night tied up at 0-0. Chances were created for both sides but it definitely appeared as though Liverpool was on the front foot through most of the half.

The Reds nearly opened the scoring in the first few moments of the match. JonJo Shelvey spied Bogdan Lobont off his line and tried an audacious chip from 50 yards or so away. He tried to get the right mix of lift and speed on the ball to beat Lobont, but in the end it was a simple catch for the Romanian netminder.

Roma came right back in the fifth minute with a fantastic chance for Nicolas Lopez. A cross from the left found his head unmarked, but the Uruguayan forward snapped his header wide. Roma then had perhaps their best chance of the half when Paniagotis Taksidis stormed in on goal all alone, but his shot from just inside the area was saved well by Peter Gulacsi. Daniel Pablo Osvaldo attempted an acrobatic volley on the rebound, but skied it into the stands.

Raheem Sterling and Nathan Eccleston each had decent chances in the half, but as the game wore on, it became the Shelvey and Joe Cole show in front of the Roma net. Cole almost chipped Lobont in the 33rd minute, this one from the top of the D, but though his technique was excellent the ball clanged off the top of the crossbar and out.

Shelvey showcased his own touch and skill in the 41st minute when he dribbled and danced his way through the entire Roma defense before snapping a shot on goal from barely ten yards out, but Lobont somehow got down and parried it away. Cole went close again 44th when he let fly from the edge of the area, but again Lobont was equal to the low shot.

For more coverage, visit our Soccer hub and check SB Nation Boston for continuing updates.

Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012 Lineups: Michael Bradley Named A Starter

Football at Fenway 2012 is underway as Liverpool FC and AS Roma face off in the Hub. Both managers have named lineups that feature a mix of first-team contributors and reserve players looking to impress.

Roma has elected to run out some of its strongest players, including captain Francesco Totti, attacker Rodrigo Taddei, and veteran defender Nicolas Burdisso. More exciting for American fans tuning in, however, is the decision to start USA international Michael Bradley in midfield. Bradley will partner up with Totti as well as Miralem Pjanic to control the center of the pitch.

Conspicuously absent, however, is Daniele De Rossi, who is not taking part in the squad's US tour.

Liverpool's starting roster is missing several usually-important components, including Luis Suarez, Daniel Agger, and talismanic captain Steven Gerrard. The Reds' lineup will be anchored by the likes of Joe Cole, Jose Enrique, and Jamie Carragher.

Lineups

Liverpool: Peter Gulacsi, Ryan McLaughlin, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Jose Enrique, Jay Spearing, JonJo Shelvey, Alberto Aquilani, Joe Cole, Nathan Eccleston, Raheem Sterling

Bench: Brad Jones, Daniel Agger, John Flanagan, Charlie Adam, Suso, Adam Morgan, Daniel Pacheco, Stephen Sama, Daniel Wilson, Lucas Leiva, Kristian Adorjan, Danny Ward, Brad Smith

Roma: Bogdan Lobont, Aleandro Rosi, Michael Bradley, Daniel Pablo Osvaldo, Francesco Totti, Rodrigo Taddei, Miralem Pjanic, Nicolas Lopez, Nicolas Burdisso, Leandro Castan, Paniagotis Taksidis

Bench: Tomas Svedkauskas, Jose Angel Valdes, Gabriel Heinze, Marquinho, Erik Lamela, Bojan Krkic, Alessio Romagnoli, Jonatan Lucca, Alessandro Florenzi, Valerio Verre

Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012: Soccer Returns To Fenway Park

Fenway Park will play host to Liverpool FC and AS Roma as the two European giants clash in a preseason match on Wednesday night. (TV: ESPN2/ESPN3)