U.S. unveils roster
World Cup qualifier complicated process
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 Thursday. 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.
McBride, 36, 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 he agreed to help the U.S. team in the Olympics.
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.