Two years after retiring from international soccer, Brian McBride will wear the USA jersey one last time.McBride was one of the three over-23 players named on the U.S. men's Olympic soccer team, which was announced today by U.S. Soccer. The former Fulham striker will join future Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan and New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst on the team.
There are few surprises among the under-23 players on the roster. McBride joins Jozy Altidore, Robbie Rogers and Charlie Davies up front. Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley headline the midfield, which also includes MLS standouts Maurice Edu, Stuart Holden and Sasha Kljestan, along with Benny Feilhaber (Derby County) and Danny Szetela (Brescia).
Parkhurst leads a back line that includes Michael Orozco (San Luis) and three MLS starters -- Patrick Ianni, Nathan Sturgis and Marvell Wynne. Chris Seitz will back up Guzan in goal.
McBride hinted last April that he would be willing to join the U.S. Olympic team. His presence would allow Peter Nowak to play a 4-4-2 with McBride and Altidore up front, rather than the 4-2-3-1 that barely managed a goal in Olympic qualifying. The U.S. side still faces an uphill battle in Group B against the Netherlands, Nigeria and Japan, but it's hard to argue the talent isn't there.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-18-2008 @ 2:58PM
jim said...
why would they chose Mcbride over Donovan, Beasley, Conroy or "gooch"..I would of thought that those players would of been more suitable for the job then 3 over 23 players that were chosen. I mean, I truely feel that the US has a shot a medaling this yr. with all the young players, that play in europe but i just dont feel they putting the best team together
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7-18-2008 @ 3:13PM
Dave said...
Jim: Actually, there are several reasons.
1.) Clubs are not obliged to release over-23 players for the Olympics, because it's not an official FIFA-sanctioned event. McBride is out of contract, Guzan is in limbo until his British work permit is approved, and Parkhurst is the best available replacement for the injured Jonathan Spector.
2.) Damarcus Beasley pulled a hammy last week and wouldn't be ready for the Olympics anyway.
3.) We're going to need a lot of the players you listed for the first 3rd-round World Cup Qualifier in Guatemala on August 20, and Bob Bradley would rather have guys like Donovan, Dempsey, Beasley, Bocanegra and Onyewu in Guatemala than in Beijing. Brazil and Argentina, on the other hand, don't resume WCQs until September 6, so they can spare the excess talent.
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