United States under-23 men's national soccer team
Encyclopedia
The United States U-23 men's national soccer team, also known as the United States men's Olympic soccer team, is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer
. Its primary role is qualification into and competition at the quadriennial Olympic Football Tournament
, the next of which is to be held during the 2012 Summer Olympics
in London
, England
. The team's most recent major tournament was the tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics
, in which the United States team was eliminated in the first round group stage.
The roster can be augmented with three "overage" players, ostensibly possessing veteran experience, during Olympic competition, in accordance with FIFA
regulations.
in Barcelona
, Spain
. A win over Kuwait was not enough for qualification past the group stage, and, as expected, a loss to Italy and a draw with Poland eliminated the United States in the first round. Several US players on the roster, however, would go on to have a major influence with the United States men's national soccer team
in the 1994 FIFA World Cup
, which the United States would host.
The 1996 Summer Olympics
in Atlanta, Georgia
would be the first time that teams could add overage players to their rosters. With the advantage as the host nation, and with Major League Soccer
in the middle of its inaugural season, the USSF tapped then-D.C. United
head coach Bruce Arena
to manage the Olympic team. They would fall short again, however, as a loss to eventual-silver medalists Argentina, offset favorable results in a win against Tunisia and a draw with Portugal.
The 2000 Summer Olympics
in Sydney
, Australia
marked a significant turnaround in the fortunes of the team. This time, the United States, led by head coach Clive Charles
, won their group on goal difference, based on draws with Czech Republic and eventual-gold medalists Cameroon, and a win over Kuwait. A tense quarterfinal match against Japan ended in a penalty shoot-out, which the United States won. Losses to Spain in the semifinals and Chile in the bronze medal match fell short of rising expectations, but a fourth-place finish in a sixteen-team tournament led to the national youth team's greatest result at the Olympics.
The team did not compete at the 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens
, Greece
; the United States, led by head coach Glenn Myernick
, would lose to Mexico in the semifinals of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament.
In late 2006, former Chivas USA
head coach Bob Bradley
was given the reins to both the senior national team and under-23 national team. His tenure would be brief, and his elevation to full-time head coach of the senior team would result in him handing control of the under-23 team to his assistant head coach, Piotr Nowak
. Under Nowak, the United States qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics
after a 3-0 win over Canada in the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
, thanks to goals by Freddy Adu
and Sacha Kljestan
. They would end their tournament as runners-up to Honduras but with an Olympic berth in hand.
, who is currently the Assistant Coach for the United States mens national soccer team, would not take charge of the Under-23 team, Caleb Porter
, who currently coaches for Akron University, was named head coach of the U-23, however, he did not travel with the team to Germany because of other duties he had with his current team.
Jurgen Klinsmann
said in the article that, “This is a unique opportunity for the younger group to learn and to experience an internationally, high profile competition and we don’t have that many of them. So, we are very, very high on that topic. There will be a workshop after our game against Ecuador just about that topic. We hopefully can get the coaching staff being named as soon as possible and get our heads around that, that special group of kids. If you go through the player list that could possibly play in the Olympics in London, this is a very good team on paper. So we better start that process, the sooner the better.”
A rumor appeared, according to BigSoccer.com, that the possible friendlies could be against the France national football team
or the likes of the Slovenia national football team
during the November friendlies, instead, these friendlies were sechdueled for the United States Senior Squad
, no friendlies are currently set for this camp, another rumored appeared that there would be 4 friendlies during the training camps. Jurgen Klinsmann
named his 22-man roster for the international fixtures in which are against France
and Slovenia
, about one-third of the roster included some of the U-23's, including Timothy Chandler
, Jozy Altidore
, Alfredo Morales
, Bill Hamid
, Brek Shea
and Daniel Williams
.
----
----
----
, Germany
from Nov. 7-16
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
. Its primary role is qualification into and competition at the quadriennial Olympic Football Tournament
Football at the Summer Olympics
Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
, the next of which is to be held during the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The team's most recent major tournament was the tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, in which the United States team was eliminated in the first round group stage.
The roster can be augmented with three "overage" players, ostensibly possessing veteran experience, during Olympic competition, in accordance with FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
regulations.
History
Men's Olympic soccer as an under-23 competition officially began during the 1992 Summer Olympics1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. A win over Kuwait was not enough for qualification past the group stage, and, as expected, a loss to Italy and a draw with Poland eliminated the United States in the first round. Several US players on the roster, however, would go on to have a major influence with the United States men's national soccer team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, which the United States would host.
The 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
would be the first time that teams could add overage players to their rosters. With the advantage as the host nation, and with Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
in the middle of its inaugural season, the USSF tapped then-D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
head coach Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
to manage the Olympic team. They would fall short again, however, as a loss to eventual-silver medalists Argentina, offset favorable results in a win against Tunisia and a draw with Portugal.
The 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
marked a significant turnaround in the fortunes of the team. This time, the United States, led by head coach Clive Charles
Clive Charles
Clive Charles was a football player, coach and television announcer. Charles began his career with West Ham United and finished it in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He later coached at the high school, collegiate and international levels in the United States.-Player:Charles was born in London,...
, won their group on goal difference, based on draws with Czech Republic and eventual-gold medalists Cameroon, and a win over Kuwait. A tense quarterfinal match against Japan ended in a penalty shoot-out, which the United States won. Losses to Spain in the semifinals and Chile in the bronze medal match fell short of rising expectations, but a fourth-place finish in a sixteen-team tournament led to the national youth team's greatest result at the Olympics.
The team did not compete at the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
; the United States, led by head coach Glenn Myernick
Glenn Myernick
Glenn "Mooch" Myernick was an American soccer player and coach. He won the 1976 Hermann Trophy as that year’s outstanding collegiate player. He then spent eight seasons in the North American Soccer League and one in Major Indoor Soccer League. Myernick also earned 10 caps with the U.S. national...
, would lose to Mexico in the semifinals of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament.
In late 2006, former Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
head coach Bob Bradley
Bob Bradley
Robert "Bob" Bradley is an American soccer coach and the current manager of the Egypt national football team, taking over in September 2011. He previously managed the United States men's national soccer team...
was given the reins to both the senior national team and under-23 national team. His tenure would be brief, and his elevation to full-time head coach of the senior team would result in him handing control of the under-23 team to his assistant head coach, Piotr Nowak
Piotr Nowak
Piotr Nowak is a Polish former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, playing for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey,...
. Under Nowak, the United States qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
after a 3-0 win over Canada in the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
2008 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
The 2008 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament was an association football tournament that took place in three venues in the United States from March 11 to March 23, 2008....
, thanks to goals by Freddy Adu
Freddy Adu
Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu is a Ghanaian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. He plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he is also used as a winger or forward....
and Sacha Kljestan
Sacha Kljestan
Sacha Kljestan is an American soccer player who currently plays for Anderlecht in the Belgian First Division.-Youth and College:...
. They would end their tournament as runners-up to Honduras but with an Olympic berth in hand.
Schedule
According to an article at tropigol.com, CONCACAF Olympic qualifying will be held at yet-to-be announced site in the United States in March. Usually, the top assistant coach of the U.S. National Team handles the Under-23 team during qualifying and the Olympics, later however, another article posted at tropigol.com stated that Martin VasquezMartin Vasquez
Martin Vasquez is a Mexican-born American former professional soccer player. He was most recently the head coach of C.D. Chivas USA in Major League Soccer....
, who is currently the Assistant Coach for the United States mens national soccer team, would not take charge of the Under-23 team, Caleb Porter
Caleb Porter
Caleb Porter is an American soccer coach who is currently the head coach of the United States U-23 team and the men's soccer team at the University of Akron...
, who currently coaches for Akron University, was named head coach of the U-23, however, he did not travel with the team to Germany because of other duties he had with his current team.
Jurgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann is a German football manager and former player who is currently the coach of the United States Men's National Team. As a player, Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the German one that...
said in the article that, “This is a unique opportunity for the younger group to learn and to experience an internationally, high profile competition and we don’t have that many of them. So, we are very, very high on that topic. There will be a workshop after our game against Ecuador just about that topic. We hopefully can get the coaching staff being named as soon as possible and get our heads around that, that special group of kids. If you go through the player list that could possibly play in the Olympics in London, this is a very good team on paper. So we better start that process, the sooner the better.”
A rumor appeared, according to BigSoccer.com, that the possible friendlies could be against the France national football team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
or the likes of the Slovenia national football team
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
during the November friendlies, instead, these friendlies were sechdueled for the United States Senior Squad
United States national soccer team
United States national soccer team may refer to:* United States men's national soccer team* United States women's national soccer team...
, no friendlies are currently set for this camp, another rumored appeared that there would be 4 friendlies during the training camps. Jurgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann is a German football manager and former player who is currently the coach of the United States Men's National Team. As a player, Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the German one that...
named his 22-man roster for the international fixtures in which are against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
and Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
, about one-third of the roster included some of the U-23's, including Timothy Chandler
Timothy Chandler
Timothy "Timmy" Chandler is a German-born American soccer player who currently plays for Bundesliga side 1. FC Nuremberg.-Early life:...
, Jozy Altidore
Jozy Altidore
Josmer Volmy "Jozy" Altidore is an American soccer player currently playing for Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar, and for the United States national team....
, Alfredo Morales
Alfredo Morales
Alfredo Morales is a German-Peruvian-American soccer player, currently playing for Hertha BSC.-Youth:Morales began his career playing for several youth teams in Berlin-Pankow. On July 2000, he joined the junior section of Hertha BSC. In his new club, Morales could instantly gain acceptance as a...
, Bill Hamid
Bill Hamid
Abdul "Bill" Hamid is an American soccer player currently playing for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-Professional:...
, Brek Shea
Brek Shea
Dane Brekken "Brek" Shea is a footballer who currently plays midfielder for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer and the U.S. national team...
and Daniel Williams
Daniel Williams
Sir Daniel Charles Williams, GCMG was a Governor-General of Grenada, from August 8, 1996 until November 18, 2008. He was formally appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on August 9, 1996 after having been nominated by Prime Minister Keith Mitchell.In 1997, he was Knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth...
.
U-23/U-20 Scrimmages
--------
----
----
Current squad
The following players were named to the roster for the squad's preliminary camp in DuisburgDuisburg
- History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
from Nov. 7-16
Also eligible for 2012 Summer Olympics
Players born after January 1, 1989 are eligible to play in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In addition, teams may select three overage players for the final roster. (See: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/33/73/30/regulationsoft2012_update10.15.10_e.pdf)Coaches
- 1988–1992: Lothar OsianderLothar OsianderLothar Osiander is a U.S.-German soccer coach who has served as head coach to the U.S. national and Olympic teams as well as the Atlanta Ruckus, Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Clash....
- 1994-1995: Timo LiekoskiTimo LiekoskiTimo Liekoski is a Finnish soccer coach who managed teams in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, American Indoor Soccer Association and Major League Soccer...
- 1995–1996: Bruce ArenaBruce ArenaBruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
- 1996–2003: Clive CharlesClive CharlesClive Charles was a football player, coach and television announcer. Charles began his career with West Ham United and finished it in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He later coached at the high school, collegiate and international levels in the United States.-Player:Charles was born in London,...
- 2003–2004: Glenn MyernickGlenn MyernickGlenn "Mooch" Myernick was an American soccer player and coach. He won the 1976 Hermann Trophy as that year’s outstanding collegiate player. He then spent eight seasons in the North American Soccer League and one in Major Indoor Soccer League. Myernick also earned 10 caps with the U.S. national...
- 2006–2007: Bob BradleyBob BradleyRobert "Bob" Bradley is an American soccer coach and the current manager of the Egypt national football team, taking over in September 2011. He previously managed the United States men's national soccer team...
- 2007–2009: Piotr NowakPiotr NowakPiotr Nowak is a Polish former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, playing for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey,...
- 2011-: Caleb PorterCaleb PorterCaleb Porter is an American soccer coach who is currently the head coach of the United States U-23 team and the men's soccer team at the University of Akron...
See also
- United States Soccer FederationUnited States Soccer FederationThe United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
- United States men's national soccer teamUnited States men's national soccer teamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
- Football at the Summer OlympicsFootball at the Summer OlympicsAssociation football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
External links
- U-23 MNT official homepage at United States Soccer Federation