Houston Dynamo stalwarts Stuart Holden and Patrick Ianni were called into camp for the United States U-23 national team in preparation for CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying, U.S. Soccer and U-23 head coach Peter Nowak announced Tuesday.
Nowak invited 24 players, including seven overseas players, to train in Bradenton, Fla., from March 1-9. The 20-man roster for the qualifying tournament will be announced March 9, two days before qualifying begins in Tampa, Fla., on March 11.
Holden and Ianni, both 22 years old, are expected to be major contributors to the qualifying campaign. The tandem started both matches in a December tour of China and even teamed up for a goal when Ianni headed in a Holden corner kick in a 3-3 tie. Both players were also called into this year's first U-23 camp, held Jan. 26-Feb. 2.
Midfielder Holden had a breakthrough season by notching five goals and five assists for the Dynamo last year in his second MLS season, appearing in 22 games and scoring a playoff goal. Defender Ianni, also in his second year, stepped up to make nine starts and 16 appearances in 2007 and was a key part of the Dynamo's record-setting 727-minute shutout streak in June and July.
The United States will face Cuba on March 11, Panama on March 13 and Honduras on March 15 in CONCACAF Group A. The top two teams from the group will advance to the March 20 semifinals in Nashville, Tenn. The semifinal winners will qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, and advance to the final on March 23 in Carson, Calif.
Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (Chicago Fire), Tally Hall (Esbjerg fB / Denmark), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (8): Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hil (VfL Wolfsburg / Germany), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (Club San Luis / Mexico), Mike Randolph (LA Galaxy), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County / England), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96 / Germany)
FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica / Portugal), Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF / Sweden), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
