Washington, D.C. - U.S. Soccer announced today the 22-man roster that will compete in the 2007 Copa America. D.C. United's Ben Olsen and Bobby Boswell were both named to the U.S. Men's National Team for the tournament that will take place June 26-July 15 in Venezuela.
"Both Benny and Bobby have worked hard and deserve this call-up to the National Team," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "We wish both players and the U.S. team the best of luck in Copa America."
Olsen and Boswell will depart with the team on June 25 for Maracaibo, Venezuela, which is the base of operations for the beginning part of the tournament. The U.S.' first game versus prominent world superpower Argentina takes place in Maracaibo on June 28 and is followed by matches against Group C members Colombia and Paraguay. The U.S. will take on Paraguay in Barinas on July 2 before taking on Colombia in Barquisimeto three days later. While on National Team duty, Olsen and Boswell will miss at least two League games and could miss up to four games for the Black-and-Red, depending on the U.S.' performance.
Since winning MLS Rookie of the Year in 1998, Ben Olsen has been an integral part to D.C. United's success. He has started every game for United this season, and is second on the team with four goals, highlighted by a hat trick performance against the New York Red Bulls. Over the course of his career Olsen has 25 goals and 42 assists for United. Last summer, Olsen joined the Men's National Team at the FIFA World Cup in Germany, and saw 51 minutes of action in the team's last group match against Ghana. He made his full international debut on November 11, 1998 against Australia. During his international career Olsen has totaled 35 caps and has scored six goals for the U.S.
Boswell is in his third season with the Black-and-Red, and has started all nine games that he has played in this year. Last year, Boswell was a mainstay at center back for United and his performance on the field earned him the MLS Defender of the Year award and also a spot on the MLS Best XI and All-Star Team. Boswell made his international debut on February 19, 2006 when he came in as a substitute in a 4-0 victory over Guatemala. Boswell has seen time in a total of two international matches, including a starting position against Denmark earlier this year.
The full 22-man roster is, as follows:
GOALKEEPERS (2) - Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach) DEFENDERS (8) - Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Heath Pearce (FC Nordsjælland), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8) - Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Lee Nguyen (PSV Eindhoven), Ben Olsen (D.C.United)
FORWARDS (4) - Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Herculez Gomez (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
