Jozy Altidore, Robbie Rogers, Nathan Sturgis and Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96 in Germany) -- started all five matches for the United States during their quarterfinal run in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup this past summer. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz's several stellar performances made him a lock to join Nowak's squad.
Nowak's squad will meet Dec. 1 in Carson before departing one week later for China. The coach believes the two-match tour will be beneficial for the future.
"As we have seen in the past," Nowak said, "the possibility of getting to travel and play in the host country before a tournament is especially valuable, so we are going to take full advantage of it."
The first match against Chinese U-23s will take place on Dec. 13 at the Changsha He Long Sports Centre in Changsha, while the second match will take place three days later at the Yue Xiu Shan Stadium in Guangzhou.
"This is an excellent opportunity to begin preparing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing," Nowak said.
Seven out of the eight participating teams, including the United States, have been finalized for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifier in March. Panama and Costa Rica will play a two-game home-and-away playoff series later this month to determine the eighth team in the final tournament.
The Home Depot Center and Raymond James Stadium will each host three doubleheaders in group play, while LP Field in Nashville will host the semifinals on Thursday, March 20, and the championship match and third-place game on Sunday, March 23.
U.S. UNDER-23 NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS (2): Zac MacMath (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7): Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Jon Leathers (Furman University), Mike Randolph (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Michael Harrington (Kansas City Wizards), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Adam Cristman (New England Revolution), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)
Andrew Shaffer is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
