The United States’ Under-23 National Team (now officially the Men’s Olympic Team) qualified for the Games of the XIXth Olympiad on March 23rd with a 3-0 victory over Canada and now attention shall be placed upon who should comprise the squad heading to represent the Stars-and-Stripes in Beijing this August. Olympic regulations allow for the addition of three “overage” players to the side and coach Peter Nowak will definitely use them to fill holes in the first XI as well as supplement the core from the qualifying squad. FIFA World Cup Qualifying will be underway during the tail end of the Olympic tournament, so Nowak will take that into account when deciding his roster and whereas he should have carte blanche to select age-eligible players (even if they are normally part of the full national team’s roster), the same won’t be true for overagers. With that in mind, this is whom I would take to China (overagers denoted by an asterisk):
Goalkeepers:
Brad Guzan* - The present understudy to Tim Howard on the National Team and #1 shirt with Chivas USA of Major League Soccer, his inclusion on the Olympic team would provide more experience in net than Chris Seitz of MLS’ Real Salt Lake (starter during qualifying and at the U-20 World Cup) and the US has taken an overage goalkeeper in past Olympiads (Kasey Keller in 1996 and Brad Friedel in 2000).
Chris Seitz - Seitz will occupy the same post as Tim Howard did in 2000 (starter in qualifying, but relegated to #2 come the Olympics).
Defenders:
Jonathan Spector - The West Ham United (English Premier League) defender played only one match in qualifying (the semifinal win over Canada), yet the fact that Nowak spent a roster spot on him for one appearance should be enough proof that this player will be part of the team in Beijing. His experience playing all defensive positions on the professional level will be an asset to the team and will allow Nowak to be creative in his defensive choices from match to match (and to rest players during the group phase if necessary).
Nathan Sturgis – A starring performance in defense at the U-20 World Cup along with a solid rookie season in MLS with first Los Angeles and then Real Salt Lake placed Sturgis squarely in the discussion for the Olympic team, and his ability to play both centrally as well as on the left will bring flexibility to a thinner roster for the Games.
Marvelle Wynne – Wynne’s speed and attacking presence make up for his tendency to get caught upfield on the counterattack. With the US not having a wealth of right-sided defenders (and the inclusion of Spector providing an able second-choice on that side of the pitch), the Toronto FC (MLS) defender gets penciled in at that position.
Michael Orozco – A relative newcomer to the US player pool, Orozco plies his trade with San Luis in the Mexican First Division. Utilized on the left with his club side, Orozco’s showing in the center for the Olympic team during qualifying makes him another solid choice for the roster in China.
Jimmy Conrad* - A past MLS Defender of the Year with the Kansas City Wizards and a member of the 2006 World Cup roster for the US, Conrad will be brought in to provide leadership in central defense (as Jeff Agoos did in 2000) and to free up Nowak in utilizing his remaining defenders.
Hunter Freeman – Freeman can play both outside back positions, which is what wins the former Colorado Rapid and current New York Red Bull (both teams in MLS) the final defender slot over Kamani Hill and Patrick Ianni.
Midfielders:
Stuart Holden – Another revelation for the Olympic side. A breakout second season for the MLS’ Houston Dynamo brought Holden to the attention of Nowak and National Team boss Bob Bradley, and his performances in the qualifying tournament leaves no doubt that he should be on the plane to the Far East. He can play both flanks as well as centrally, a positive trait that serves him well in MLS and will allow Nowak to specialize with other choices for the roster.
Freddy Adu – No explanation necessary! With four goals in four qualifying matches (including a brace in the semifinal), the Benfica (Portugal Superliga) midfielder showed why he has dominated every age group competition in which he has played.
Sacha Kjlestan – Nowak and Bradley both seem to like this guy, who played for the latter at Chivas USA. Kjlestan has played mostly on the right in his appearances with the Olympic and National Teams, but can also play centrally.
Maurice Edu – The skipper on the qualifying roster, Edu should return to his normal defensive midfield position (where he plays for Toronto FC) once the Games start and will probably retain the armband unless Nowak gives it to one of the overagers.
Michael Bradley – Bradley was not on the qualifying roster due to being retained by his club team, SC Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie. With 19 goals this season for Heerenveen, a world-class performance for the US at the U-20 World Cup, and being a first XI choice for the full National Team, his addition will have the effect of adding a fourth overager to the side (even though he is age-eligible).
Eddie Gaven – The Columbus Crew flanker brought tremendous workrate during the qualifying competition and his professional experience adds another dimension to the team. He can play both flanks as well as pinch-hit up top should the need arise.
Sal Zizzo – The final spot in midfield goes to the Hannover 96 (German Bundesliga) player, ahead of Dax McCarty, because he fills a need on the team (attacking prowess on the right). In a case of numbers (two fewer roster spots, one addition to the squad at your position), McCarty loses out.
Forwards:
Jozy Altidore – Despite having a lackluster qualifying tournament, the New York Red Bull striker makes the team as the best age-eligible player up front for the US.
Charlie Davies – With speed to burn and a penchant for hitting the turf a little too easily, Davies beats out Chad Barrett and Robbie Findley for a spot on the roster. Hopefully, his play at Hammarby IF (Swedish Allsvenskan) will prepare him for the rigors of playing against stronger and bigger defenders in Beijing.
Brian McBride* - Now why would I select a 36-year-old forward who announced his international retirement after the 2006 World Cup for the last spot on the Olympic roster? Well, the team needs a proven scorer if it wishes to medal and with other choices (Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan) potentially tied-up with World Cup qualifying, the Fulham (EPL) skipper fills a very needed position in the side. His 30 goals rank him #3 in US National Team history and I believe he can be persuaded to put on the colors one last time for this cause.
Agree? Disagree? Did I overlook someone? Hit me at elcasoccer@netscape.net.
