US beats Japan 1-0 in Olympic Opener

TIANJIN, China (August 7, 2008) — The U.S. Men’s Olympic Team got off to a fine start in the 2008 Olympic Games by earning a 1-0 victory against Japan before 37,177 fans at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium. Stuart Holden fired home the game’s only goal in the 47th minute to hand the U.S. three points and the top spot in Group B following the 0-0 draw between Netherlands and Nigeria.

Michael Parkhurst started and went the full 90 minutes.

Read the full story at USSoccer.com.

Parkhurst on Olympic Team - It's Official (Plus Full Roster)

Michael Parkhurst was selected for the U.S. Men's Olympic Soccer team to compete in China.

“We realize from the last couple of years what his qualities are,” said Coach Peter Nowak. “We watched him in the Gold Cup and I think he was very valuable in the process. We didn’t look so much at his number of international appearances because we know what he’s capable of. He only missed the Olympic roster age cut-off by a year or so. I think he is a little underrated in MLS and I think he does a great job. The New England Revolution play some big games so I know him very well. I think he did very, very well in the Gold Cup, so that’s why I picked him.”

The U.S. will begin their final preparation for the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, July 20, with six days of domestic training in San Jose, Calif. The team will then depart for Hong Kong, where they will participate in the ING Cup, facing fellow Olympic participants Ivory Coast on July 30 and Cameroon on Aug. 2.

Olympic Group Stage Matches:
August 7, 2008
Japan-USA

August 10, 2008
Netherlands-USA

August 13, 2008
Nigeria-USA

This means Parkhurst will miss the MLS All-Star game, SuperLiga Final (should the Revs advance), US Open Cup Semifinal, as well as likely at least 2 MLS league matches. Parkhurst may also miss the SuperLiga Semifinal.

Full Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (5): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

Goff: Parkhurst to the Olympics?

According to the Washington Post's Steven Goff on his Soccer Insider blog today, two sources have told him Revolution 24-year-old All-Star defender Michael Parkhurst will join 36-year-old striker Brian McBride and potentially 23-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan as the overage players on the US squad for the summer Olympics in China.

Click here for the full story from Goff.