Nowak names 22-man U.S. Under-23 roster for Toulon Tournament

U.S. Under-23 national team coach Peter Nowak has named the 22-man roster for the upcoming Toulon Tournament in France, and as SBI told you would be the case last week (and some folks chose to ignore), the roster consists mainly of players on the fringes of a shot at the U.S. Olympic roster.

No, there is no Jozy Altidore, Freddy Adu or Michael Bradley. In fact, none of the top stars of the U-23 age group were called up (well, one field player, Mr. Benny Feilhaber). The roster named by Nowak consists mainly of prospects with an outside chance of impressing the coaching staff enough to make it to Beijing.

There are some intriguing names to be sure, including Gabriel Ferrari, Lee Nguyen, Bryan Arguez and Kyle Davies, but there are also some long shots as well, such as Tony Beltran, Michael Gavin, Julian Valentin, Bryan Jordan and, yes Red Bulls fans, Eric Brunner.

“This tournament will give us an opportunity to have a look at some players we have had in previous camps, and also a look at the new faces,” Nowak said. “We don’t want to be short-sighted with our selection for the Olympics. We want a whole picture that includes a variety of players, and to make sure we see every option before we make final choices.”

Here is the full roster:

GOALKEEPERS - Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake), Quentin Westburg (Troyes

DEFENDERS - Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Eric Brunner (out of contract), Kyle Davies (Southampton), Michael Gavin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Jonathan Leathers (Kansas City Wizards), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Julian Valentin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Rob Valentino (New England Revolution), Blake Wagner (FC Dallas)

MIDFIELDERS - Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), Greg Dalby (SC Charleroi), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Lee Nguyen (Randers FC)

FORWARDS - Gabe Ferrari (Sampdoria), Bryan Jordan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ellis McLoughlin (Hertha Berlin), Sammy Ochoa (Tecos)

The U.S. team will face Turkey (May 21), Ivory Coast (May 23) and Italy (May 25) in the Toulon Tournament, taking place in France. All the matches will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel.

What do you think of the group? What names are you happy to see? What names are you surprised not to see? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[mikeK]

Ives: Will Gabe be getting the start?

[mike]

On first glance, Johan Smith and Preston Zimmerman stand out among the omissions. Too young?

[JSquaredNY]

I'm glad to see Brunner getting a shot. If the kid turns out to be a stud I'll be pissed that RBNY basically dropped him for Boyens.

[brett]

im going to enjoy watching this tourny.... always been hopeful that Ferrari can break the scene... playing reserves with Samdoria is nice, but id like to see him break some 1st team PT.... this tourny could lift him out of the reserves with some stellar play, especially against Italy :D

could this also launch Feilhaber's career in the right direction?? hopefully... i've been a fan of his, but his lack of play and rumors around the Olympics seemed to knock him off the radar... hopefully he can leave Derby (or at least get PT now that they are relegated)...

HOO HOO HOO...HOOSIERS!!! happened to have attended the great college of IU when Nguyen stayed a semester and tear up the field.... since then ive always liked seeing him succeed... glad to see he's finally getting PT even if its not with PSV... altho he had some stellar performances with the Reserves... glad to see him get another look into the nats (at any level)...

[chris l]

why is practically our whole roster defenders? its really strange

[Mikemike]

JSquared-
NY still will hold rights on Brunner because they did offer him a substitute contract. They can still sign him to a senior spot. Kinda crappy for Brunner, but sometimes the discovery claim business works in a team's favor, sometimes it don't.
-Mike

[JSquaredNY]

Ah right. Good call Mike. Thanks!

[brett]

chris- dont forget, we do have some defenders who can 2nd in the midfield, and at least 1 who can push up to the front line.... just b/c they are labeled there doesnt mean they'll play there... for example, take a look at Hill.. he played defense during the qualifiers, but i recall him moving up during one of the games.... not to mention they used him as a winger most of the time anyhow

[Ives]

MikeMike (and JSquared), Brunner's tie to the Red Bulls only applies to MLS, so if he goes to the tournament and catches the eye of a European club that likes him, then he's gone.

As for whether Ferrari starts, given the fact that the three games are five days apart I am sure he will start in at least one of these games, if not two.

[Topher]

what about soumare? i heard he is from mali, but i think he might also have a u.s. passport. anyone know?

[el fur de ball]

Good to see Bryan Jordan. Watched him last season with the Portland Timbers. Fierce worker up top. Quick as hell and a little gritty. Also draws a lot of penalties.

[NateinSF]

Ives,

What about Szetela? That guy has fallen off the radar screen.

[Al17]

If you can, check out the 2008 version of the Tournoi Toulouse. This is a classic tournament for up and coming players and past tournament alumni include Henry and Shearer to name a few. Actually the year Henry played, Josh Wolff finished 3rd in tournament scoring.

[Brant]

Can the Galaxy really afford to let a defender go to a tournament in France for a month?

Overall, I like it - doesn't impact the MLS teams too much, and gives the 'fringe' kids a chance to impress and get to know each other, and play for their country at least once in their career.

[douglas]

I like the selections, there are a lot of names that i didn't even consider and i am excited to see how they play.

how do we interpret the absence of Robbie Rogers and Arturo Alvarez? Does this mean that they are in, or out? Are they too important to their teams to be released? Has Nowak seen enough of those to not need to call them for this tournament?

[brett]

douglas- with rogers and alverez getting 1st team PT, actually starting XI spots, Nowak probably didnt see it worth it to call them up... depending on their continuing efforts and our options for the olympics they'll be considered just like anyone else... if not more depending on current form

[East LA Chiva]

Sammy Ochoa? It's about damn time!! I hope he and Ferrari become lethal together.

[Garrett]

Does anyone even listen to Ives on this site???

In regards to his existing article... the ones called up this time would likely be 'fringe' players for the U-23's. So 1/2 of these questions like "Why isn't Robbie Rogers playing" are annoying. He's nearly getting full Nat consideration + he's a lock for the U-23 + He's getting solid PT with the Crew.

These annoying posts remind me to facetiously ask 'Whats John O'Brien up to these days and would be a good fit for being one of the older players on the U-23 squad?'

Come on.

[Ted]

Sammy!

And Quentin!

Horray!

Pudding!

[Drew]

Nice barrage of posts today. Well done Ives.

[Cyrus]

Interesting not seeing szetela, rogers, zimmerman, or smith, and it'd be nice to see alvarez too. I'm glad that we're lookin at players in the Mexican league. Is Jose Francisco Torres an omission due to Novak already reserving a spot for him, or is he just not included in the team? Though he's probably good enough to play on the 1st team, it would've been nice to see him in US Camp at some point prior to Novak choosing the team.
But now thinking about it, we have a very competitive player pool, and not all these quality guys can be on the team. I think we'll be fine regardless of these guys being on or off the team.

[MikeinSD]

I would like to know why Jemal Johnson and/or Johan Smith aren't on the squad??? I mean they are closer in age to the U-23's than McLaughlin.

[Chuck]

Jamel Johnson deserved a look for sure

[Jeremy]

Nice to see Quentin Westburg get a call up. He needs to find a new team and get some first team minutes.

[B-Ville]

It's about what I expected. I am happy that Benny is on this roster so that it probably prevents him from the England friendly. Benny, Convey, and EJ are people I don't think have earned a continued place on the National Team.

I doubt any of these guys make the Olympic team. Including Benny.

[Hincha Tim]

The way Tony Beltran has been playing for RSL (very well, earned a starting right back position) I wouldn't necessarily call him a long shot at the end of the day.

[Aljarov]

LA losing 3 fringe players is gonna hurt them.

[Ives]

Hincha, any way you stack it Tony Beltran is a longshot to make the U.S. Olympic team.

[Dominghosa]

I wonder if this omits Benny from being called up to the USMNT for the may 28 Match vs. England. It'll give him five days of rest .
I would rather see Jose Francisco Torres in there than Ochoa.
I agree about the omissions of Zimmerman, Smith, Johnson (though there are only so many forwards you can call up) and Szetela (what happened there?).
Ashe over Szetela? Not sure about that.
But I like the call ups of Westberg, Nguyen, Leathers, Shea, Vanletino (if only because he's from Phoenix), Dalby and Arguez.
Not sure about Beltran over C. Myers but maybe it's because Myers is more important to his club now than Beltran.

[Scott]

I think Lee Nguyen, Tony Beltran and Bryan Arguez all have a decent shot at making the team. Outside of Spector, the defensive candidates for the U-23 squad are weak. I realize Nguyen is not a defender, he is just good.

[garbaggio]

Like dominghosa and Cyrus, I'm curious about Pachuca's midfielder Jose Francisco "Paco" Torres. He was born in Texas and was apparently approached by the US folks when Pachuca was playing DC United in the Concacaf Champions Cup in early April. As far as I can remember we never found out whether or not he would commit to the US team.

Do you know anything further about his status, Ives?

I'm not certain he'd make the first XI for the Olympics but he's definitely got talent deserving further evaluation - if he's interested.

[Steve]

Corey Ashe is the biggest MLS contributor of the lot so that will answer about 90% of the questions on this thread.

[nelson]

umm, wasnt this roster supposed to include neven subotic supposedly?

so can we interperet this as subotic electing not to play with the U.S.?

[Hincha Tim]

I didn't see Seitz was named. That sucks. RSL needs to get him in some games. He certainly isn't a "fringe" player. Could RSL refuse to release him? Why does the coaching staff feel they have to have him to evaluate?

[Hincha Tim]

P.S. Ives, since you claim Beltran is a "long shot" to make the USO Team, you want to give me 10-1 odds and put $25 bucks on it? :-)

[Modibo]

Topher, Soumare has said publicly that he wants to play for Mali, and that he's been in touch with their Nats management about playing in the future. He hasn't worn the colors yet in any youth nats side. He has a US green card.

He also has a really convoluted history - born in Mali, grew up till he was about 14 in Paris, then moved to New York where he was adopted.

Who can tell me something about Ellis McLouglin? Only player on the roster I've never heard of.

[Felix]

Are some of these guys really on the fringes? I would think some of these players have a legitimate shot at making the roster? Goes to show what I know.

[J]

Benny F does not deserve a spot, he hasn't played first team competitive soccer in ages....FACT.

[Dominghosa]

Modibo -- McLoughlin was a starter on the U-17 World Cup team. He was hailed as one of the top 2-3 best player on the team. Though he probably is top 2 (midfielder Dan Wenzel or howeveritsspelled didn't as well as expected) I believe he scored one goal in that tournament.
He has some good skill. Last time I saw him, he was tall and lanky.

[Chase]

J,

A lot of these people have played very little first team football recently. I don't see why Feilhaber should be denied a spot if he proves himself at this tournament...

[Ted]

McLoughlin is a good prospect. Has a nose for goal and quick feet.

[Charisma_Man]

Harrington not selected? Another underrated player not everybody and their brother knows about yet.

[fieldsy]

Ives,

no post on fulham's improbable win and staying in the premiere league? i'm disappointed. i thought that would have been a huge caption for sbi.

i thought one of the zimmerman's might have gotten a call to the u-23.

[Kim]

Look for Feilhaber to get it right this time.

[Nickel]

Lee Nguyen is reallly talented I think he should go to the olympics.

Danny szetela should have been called up, and he should also go to the olympics.

[Nickel]

Benny Feilhaber should also go to the olympics.

[bob]

what about subotic?

[Jess]

Hey Ives. Next time Bryan Jordan plays for the Galaxy you don't have to pretend you don't know who he is. If el fur de ball knows who Jordan is, I have to guess to do to.

[Thom]

no Szetela? He could use the minutes....

[Argi4]

I will give you better odds on Tony Beltran not making the Olympic team. Ives was being nice by saying long shot. You need to consider the fact that there are only 15 or 16 spots to be won by U-23's. Assuming at least 2, if not 3 of the 18 will be overage:

Altidore, Adu, Kljestan, Edu, Bradley, Spector, Holden, Wynne, GK (probably Seitz)... That's 9 definites, 6 left...

Probables: Sturgis, Alvarez, Orozco, Freeman (versatility)

Fringe: Rogers, Gaven, Hill, Davies, etc, etc...

No Beltran yet...

[YankatOxford]

Subotic has said on his website he will not make a decision regarding national teams until after the Bundesliga 2 season ends.

I think this is good for Feilhaber, but I wouldn't rule out him getting called up for the England camp.

Gabe Ferrari has been oh so close to debuting in Serie A, so good on him. Nice to see Kamani Hill and Lee Nguyen again as well.

The million dollar question remains- who will be the three Over 23 players selected for the Olympics?; That shapes all the other selections.

[Angel]

I noticed that the Pachuca's Jose Francisco Torres wasn't called up.

[Spider-J]

Isn't the league, serie-B, Szetela plays in still in season? That's why he didn't get called up for this tournament.

[Gerald]

Good point Spider
Serie B doesn't end until June 1st

[elgodlenboy]

it's dissapointing to not see Neven Subotic, he's tall, strong and an excellent defender..I wonder if he chose not to play for US? Alvarez and Rodgers deserve to be on the MNOT team..Hill and Davies I don't like they're game at all, I'd rather have Szetela and Benny..it will be an exciting tournament in France nontheless..

[brett]

elgodlenboy- i disagree with that statement.... Hill did VERY well playing a foreign position during the qualifiers...anyhow you are talking about players who play different positions...

ur saying u'd do without a forward and a defender (assuming Nowak continues to use Hill as a defender) and rather substitute them with midfielders.... give me 1 reason Benny deserves an olympic ticket?? he's getting rather low in the pecking order... if he performs stellar in this tourny then perhaps a look at the olympics is in order, but he's currently in battle with bradley and edu as far as a starting spot would go...

[cuzco03]

Argi4, that's a good list. I would add D McCarty to "probables", he was one of the best US players in qualifiers. Also add N Subotic as he's been starting for Mainz in central defense for past one plus seasons. He was most likely excluded from this tournament due to his importance to his club who are still vying for promotion to Bundesliga this weekend. I'd bump-up to probable K Hill, he's a lot more versatile than Freeman (who I like but think is more fringe). Zizzo looked improved in qualifiers, but I'd call him fringe also. A Alvarez is too one-dimensional to make it past fringe.

[Hincha Tim]

Argi4,
You're analyzing it wrong. Beltran is not competing against Altidore for a spot on the team, he's competing against other defensive wingbacks. Who are they?

[Juke Box Hero]

People seem way too confused by this roster, despite Nowak and Ives' clear explanations. FRINGE players with OUTSIDE SHOTS at making the team. The only genuine surprise omissions are guys like Zimmerman, Johan Smith, & Szetela whose seasons are over, who are also on the fringe, and who've had extensive youth nats experience.

That being said, its great that FSC is telivising so that us die hards can get our own extended look at alot of these guys. It might inform some of the more baseless opinions thrown around here on the world wide web.

I'm looking forward to seeing Nguyen, Arguez, Feilhaber, Ferrari, McLaughlin, Ochoa.

I don't think a single one of all those defenders has a shot at making the team outside of Hill. However, the guy who said Spector is our only non-weak defender is just wrong - Orozco, Wynne, Hill & Sturgis were all solid in qualifiying, and if Subotic & Soumare can be convinced to play for us, we'll be more than talented enough in the back, especially with an overaged defender added in.

[inkedAG]

I find it too funny that Eric Brunner made it into camp! :)

[Andrew]

Woot! Go Tony Beltran!

[Chase]

Why are people shocked that Subotic isn't included? If the guy is having reservation about committing to the US at all, why the hell would he play for us in a tournament meant to look at fringe players?? THINK PEOPLE!

And Szetela's season isn't over, Brecia still has three league games left and if you look at the Serie B table, they are a likely playoff team (sitting 5th in the table), meaning that he could yet play three playoff games after that, if Brecia fail to finish in the top two. This means his season might not end until the 2nd week in June. That is why he wasn't included!

And why do people continually hate on Feilhaber?? Give the guy a chance to prove himself at this tournament, the guy had a rough season, hopefully he learns from it...

[Drew2]

"Probables: Sturgis, Alvarez, Orozco, Freeman (versatility)

Fringe: Rogers, Gaven, Hill, Davies, etc, etc..."

Really? Alvarez is probable when he got cut at full health and Rogers was injured... while Rogers is having a substantially better MLS season than Alvarez, but *Rogers* is on the fringe?

I would actually proffer that if Rogers keeps this level of play up, given how stagnant the qualifying offense was, he is a mortal lock.... certainly ahead of Holden who is having trouble finding minutes with Houston (though I think he should be over Davis).

[hamburglar]

Locks barring injury:
1. overage
2. overage
3. overage
4. Altidore
5. Adu
6. Bradley
7. Edu
8. Spector
9. Seitz

Most likely:
10. Rogers
11. Kljestan
12. Orozco
13. Wynne

Likely if they want to play for USA:
14. Torres
15. Subotic

Group 16-25 = top 10 candidates for final 3-5 spots:
F: Alvarez, Davies, Barrett
M: Holden, Feilhaber, McCarty, Zizzo
D: Sturgis, Hill, Ianni

group 26-35 = only an outside shot:
F: Findley, Ferrari, Zimmerman
M: Szetela, Gaven, Nguyen
D: Freeman, Randolph, Myers
GK: Hall

To put Touloun roster in perspective:
1-9/Locks: Seitz only
10-15/Likely: none
16-25: Hill, Feilhaber
26-35: Ferrari, Zimmerman, Nguyen

So, arguably only 6 from the top 35 players in this age group. 5 of those are playing in Europe where seasons are coming to an end. Everyone else has very long odds of sniffing the roster.

Perhaps the real question is why these 6? Or, more narrowly, why bother calling in Seitz and Hill, especially Seitz? Maybe PN wants to look Hill up top again, given the relatively uninspiring play from Barrett, Findley, and Davies in the qualiies.

[Drew2]

Robble Robble,

Well Seitz and Hill are pretty easy to figure. Since Seitz isn't expected to get any first team time as a backup keeper, the games will do him good. Hill, I assume is still considered an experimental concept at right back. While he was okay going forward, his defense was suspect and his crossing was atrocious. Not sure where his time is coming at the club level, but surely Nowak needs to see more of him at righ back to make the call (though as you point out have to assume Wynne is a surety even if we call in 2 overage middle defenders and put Spector outside somewhere).

Interestingly something like Boca/Middle Guy/Spector might make a ton of sense in a 3-5-2 which would allow us to get more of our midfield pieces on the pitch but i doubt BB lets PN go that route.