July 23rd, 2008 . 7:52 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Edit: FCD Blog was asked to take down the news story on this item, but 3rd Degree had independent confirmation from a source outside FCD so we will continue to run the story until someone from US Soccer says something different.

Dax McCarty got his wish granted today when he was named as the injury replacement to Nathan Sturgis on the US Olympic team.  McCarty will leave to join the team on Thursday after originally being left off the main roster for the Olympics.

The US heads to Hong Kong on Friday for two warm up games against the Ivory Coast on July 30 and Cameroon on August 3.

The U.S. is in Group B and opens against Japan on August 7 before facing the Netherlands on August 10, both are at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin.  The US will finish group play against Nigeria on August 13th at the Worker’s Stadium in Beijing.

Here’s the official press release…

DAX McCARTY NAMED TO U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM

U.S. Men’s Olympic Team head coach Peter Nowak has called in FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty to the team that will represent the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.  McCarty, who was announced as an alternate when the team was named last week, will replace the injured Nathan Sturgis on the U.S. roster. The 21-year old McCarty will join the Olympic team for training in Palo Alto, California today.

“I’ve always thought that the Olympics were one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and like many kids, I dreamt of one day playing in such a tournament,” said McCarty. “It’s obviously not the ideal way to be called up – you never wish injury upon anyone. But it is still an honor.”

The Olympic Team will travel to Hong Kong on Friday, July 25 for the ING Cup, facing fellow Olympic participants Ivory Coast on July 30 and Cameroon on Aug. 2 in the final two matches before the start of the Olympic Games.

“The initial shock of learning that I will be an Olympian was unbelievable,” he added. “It’s an honor, and I was speechless when I found out. I just want to help the team out anyway possible and hopefully help us win a medal.”

In March 2008, McCarty helped the U.S. team qualify for the Olympics by playing in four of the five 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying tournament games, in which the U.S. finished second behind Honduras. Following the tournament, the CONCACAF Technical Study Group selected McCarty to the 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualification All-Tournament “Best XI” team.

The U.S. has been drawn into a difficult Group B of the Olympic Games and will open against Japan on August 7 before facing the Netherlands on August 10, with both games taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin. The team will then travel to Worker’s Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on August 13.

McCarty has appeared in 11 games for FC Dallas this season, registering one assist.

2008 U.S. MEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (4): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (8): 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), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas).

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

Head Coach: Peter Nowak

Categories: News.

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