Soccer: Adu, Altidore, Bradley on U.S. soccer team
By RACHEL COHEN
Associated Press
Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley will lead the U.S. men's soccer team into the Beijing Olympics.
Coach Peter Nowak announced the 18-man roster today. Forward Brian McBride, goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Michael Parkhurst are the three overage players allowed in the under-23 tournament.
Selecting the Olympic squad was tricky because the Beijing Games overlap with World Cup qualifying for the U.S. team.
"We're trying to accommodate the Olympic team, but we need to also keep in mind it's an important time for the senior team," Nowak said on a conference call. "We need to make sure we field two competitive teams."
The 36-year-old McBride is the veteran of three World Cups. He retired from international soccer in 2006 and left Fulham of England's Premier League in May, but agreed to help the U.S. team in the Olympics.
Guzan, who turns 24 in September, is transferring from Chivas USA in Major League Soccer to English club Aston Villa. He was the 2007 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Nowak said Guzan was committed to playing for the U.S. in the Olympics and that Aston Villa was cooperative.
The Americans open Olympic play Aug. 7 against Japan.
The United States faces Guatemala in World Cup qualifying Aug. 20. The Olympic semifinals are Aug. 19.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
Midfielders: Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)