Wednesday, February 27, 2008

US men name final Olympic Qualifying training roster

After missing out on the 2004 Olympics, the US U-23 men are looking to redeem themselves by earning one of the two Concacaf spots for the 2008 Beijing games. With this in mind, Peter Nowak has called in a group of 24 players for his final training camp ahead of the March 11-23 tournament.

Here is the list:

GK (3): Dominic Cervi (Chicago Fire), Tally Hall (Esbjerg fB), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

D (8): Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hil (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Mike Randolph (LA Galaxy), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

M (8): Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

F (5): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

Not a lot of shocks on this list, however the inclusion of Michael Orozco of Mexico's San Luis is interesting. I think this is his first US camp as he has flirted with playing for Mexico (he was born in California).

Overall, the US has some great striker options and a solid midfield, however the defense, with the exception of Edu, doesn't show as much known talent. It is not that they are bad, they just seem a bit unproven.

The unproven tag continues to the goal as none of the keepers have much pitch time to brag about. Again, they are not bad, they are just not tested at the highest level.

Overall, this lineup should allow the team to get out of their group and to the final.

Nowak will announce his final 20-man tournament roster no latter then March 9. Although he can add people not called into camp to that roster, odds are he will not.

Here is the full schedule for the tournament (Tickets Florida, California):

Group A
USA
Panama
Honduras
Cuba

Group B
Mexico
Canada
Guatemala
Haiti

Date Matches Venues Kickoff Times
March 11 Panama-Honduras Tampa, Fl 5:30 ET
March 11 USA-Cuba Tampa, Fl 8:00 ET
March 12 Haiti-Guatemala Carson, Ca 5:30pm PT
March 12 Canada vs. Mexico Carson, Ca 8:00pm PT
March 13 Honduras-Cuba Tampa, Fl 5:30pm PT
March 13 USA-Panama Tampa, Fl 8:00pm PT
March 14 Canada-Haiti Carson, Ca 5:30pm PT
March 14 Mexico-Guatemala Carson, Ca 8:00pm PT
March 15 Cuba-Panama Tampa, Fl 5:30pm PT
March 15 USA-Honduras Tampa, Fl 8:00pm PT
March 16 Guatemala-Canada Carson, Ca 5:30pm PT
March 16 Mexico-Haiti Carson, Ca 8:00pm PT
March 20 Seminfinals Nashville, Tn 5 & 8pm CT
March 23 Finals & 3rd Nashville, Tn 1 & 4pm CT


ESPN Deportes will air all the matches live and ESPN306.com will steam them.

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