Davies Makes U-23 Cut

Final Roster Set For Olympic Qualifying

March 10, 2008

CHICAGO – Former Boston College striker Charlie Davies made the final 20-man roster for the US Under-23 men’s soccer Olympic Qualifying team.

Four players from the 24-player mini-camp were dropped by coach Peter Nowak for the final roster in advance of the team’s first game against Cuba on March 11 at 8 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

“We have seen many strong players over the past few months, and had some difficult decisions to make,” said Nowak. “We feel that the group of players that will compete in the qualifying tournament represent the team that gives us the best chance of going through a difficult stretch of games to advance to the Olympic Games in Beijing.”

Former BC striker Charlie Davies was called into the US U-23's latest training camp.

The roster features 10 players who have earned caps with the Men’s National Team, led by Jonathan Spector, who has appeared 11 times with the senior team. Eddie Gaven and Sacha Kljestan have five caps each, while Freddy Adu and Maurice Edu have four. Jozy Altidore is coming off of his first start for the full team, scoring his first goal against Mexico in February.

Along with Spector (England) and Adu (Portugal), four other players ply their trade outside the United States, including Davies (Sweden), Michael Orozco (Mexico), Kamani Hill and Sal Zizzo (Germany).

Major League Soccer is represented by 13 players, with Real Salt Lake sending the most representatives with three – Robbie Findley, Chris Seitz and Nathan Sturgis.

The four players dropped from the mini-camp roster include goalkeeper Tally Hall (Esbjerg fB), Mike Randolph (LA Galaxy), Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), and Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).

After playing Cuba in their opening game on March 11, the U.S. will face Panama on March 13. ET and then finish Group A play against Honduras on March 15. All three U.S. matches will be the second match of three doubleheaders played at Raymond James Stadium and will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN Deportes.

Group B features Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico. Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN Deportes will broadcast both semifinal games live on March 20 and the championship match on March 23.

Full US U-20 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Roster:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7): Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

Return from Davies Makes U-23 Cut to US National Teams

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