For U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley, there has been little difference between the full national team camp he was operating last week as he prepared his charges for a battle with Mexico, and the under-23 national team camp he has this week, as that group begins preparations toward CONCACAF qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Bradley's initial national team camp was filled with younger players, coming as it did at the very outset of the long cycle toward the next World Cup, South Africa 2010. But while there are age restrictions for the Olympic squad, Bradley said there is little distinction between the two groups -- especially in the professional makeup of the U-23 squad.
"The approach has been exactly the same," said Bradley. "We're trying to establish good habits and create a good environment every day so guys understand in all our national teams that it's an honor to be here."
The development of MLS has meant that, just like all the other major countries around the world, the U.S. Olympic team that competes in Beijing will be entirely comprised of professional players, most of whom ply their trade here in the USA. In the last Olympic cycle, only Chris Wingert was listed as a college player heading into the 2004 qualifying tournament. He had already been drafted by Columbus, but had yet to sign his contract.
As the U.S. team heads to Japan this weekend for a pair of matches, Bradley has filled his group with a solid nucleus of MLS-based players with plenty of youth world championship experience under their belts. As qualifying approaches, he'll also have available a slew of seasoned professionals including a handful of players cutting their teeth in Europe.
Chad Barrett is one of those young professionals trying to make the Olympic team. Barrett scored five goals with the Chicago Fire last season and broke onto the international scene at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships (under-20). He's definitely noticed a difference in the quality of play at the youth international level that MLS has helped establish.
"One thing that pros bring that maybe a college player doesn't is the speed of the game," said Barrett. "Everything is a lot quicker in MLS. The physical nature of MLS is far greater than that of college."
Another player looking to impress Bradley is Nathan Sturgis. An extremely versatile player, Sturgis was a rookie last year with the Los Angeles Galaxy. More recently, Sturgis impressed at the CONCACAF Under-20 qualifying tournament in Panama last month, a performance that warranted a call up to the U-23 level. Sturgis has noticed a significant difference between the different groups.
"There are guys with more pro experience -- I'd say that's the biggest difference," said Sturgis. "The MLS is signing younger and younger guys, guys out of high school and guys leaving college early. I think that helps out a lot with this group and the (Under-)20s."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
