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Olympics sole goal for U.S. soccer

Under-23 coach Peter Nowak and his team hit Tampa this week seeking redemption.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Published March 9, 2008

TAMPA - Peter Nowak is not one to dwell on the past.

The U.S. under-23 men's national soccer coach has read the newspaper clips and seen the video from the Americans' last attempt at Olympic qualifying in 2004. He has fielded questions on the sore subject since the U.S. Soccer Federation named him coach in August.

But Nowak's attitude regarding the 4-0 loss to Mexico that bounced the Americans from the 2004 tournament couldn't be any clearer.

He could not care less.

"I'm not a guy who looks over my shoulder at what happened in the past," said Nowak, 43. "We are moving forward at what will happen next."

What's next for Nowak and his team is this week's final Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football qualifying group stage for the Summer Games in Beijing. The first of three U.S. matches kicks off at 8 p.m. Tuesday against Cuba at Raymond James Stadium.

"We just want to focus on the things we can control right now," Nowak said. "And make sure that when we hit the field on Tuesday night, we're ready to go and ready for those three games in the group and maybe something extra after that.

"I think right now we want to focus on what we have to do on the field to present ourselves in the best way possible in front of fans," Nowak said. "I encourage my team not to look over their shoulder because this is a completely different group and a completely different environment."

As in 2000 - when the United States placed fourth at the Olympic Games - all final qualifying matches this year will take place on U.S. turf. Joining the Americans and Cuba in Group A are Panama and Honduras. Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti and Canada make up Group B play Wednesday through March 16 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The top two from each group advance to the semifinals at LP Field in Nashville, with the finalists booking tickets to Beijing.

"To be part of that dream of going to Beijing would be unbelievable. Like I said before, it's an honor to represent my country, and it's a privilege," forward Jozy Altidore said. "To make that walk (at the Opening Ceremony) with my teammates and know that everyone is watching would definitely be an unbelievable experience."

Although the official 20-man roster won't be announced until today, it appears the United States will have its most experienced - and talented - team to date. Of the 24 players in final camp last week in Bradenton, 10, including Freddy Adu, Benny Feilhaber and Altidore, have played with the full national team. It's almost certain when the roster is announced that all 20 will have professional experience, as opposed to the years when collegians dotted the lineup. (As many as three players older than 23 will be allowed on Olympic rosters).

"Our (lack of) college players here reflect the significant progress of our soccer nation in the past few years," Nowak said. "Perhaps in the next Olympic Games at London in 2012 we will have 24 players in Europe."

Of the players in the final camp, Charlie Davies, Tally Hall, Kamani Hill, Sal Zizzo, Michael Orozco, Adu and Feilhaber compete outside the United States. The remainder - including 2007 rookie of the year Maurice Edu - play in Major League Soccer.

And though Nowak is quick to put the Americans' last qualifying attempt in the rearview mirror, he notes that the depth and experience of his roster will not be a trump card. World Cup veterans Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Bobby Convey were part of the 2004 squad.

"Experience is an important factor in the whole process, but not necessarily the most important one," Nowak said. "You can put every system on paper, you can put out the best possible lineup, but the games are going to verify everything."

CONCACAF men's Olympic qualifying

When/where: Tuesday-Saturday; Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Schedule: Tuesday - Panama vs. Honduras, 5:30 p.m.; U.S. vs. Cuba, 8. Thursday - Honduras vs. Cuba, 5:30; U.S. vs. Panama, 8. Saturday - Cuba vs. Panama, 4:30; Honduras vs. U.S., 7.

At stake: The top two reach the semifinals in Nashville along with the top two Group B teams (playing Wednesday-March 16 in Carson, Calif.). The teams that reach the final qualify for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

TV: Fox Soccer Channel, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360.com

Tickets: $18 to $65 for each doubleheader and available at Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster outlets.

Parking: Cars $10, limos and RVs $25, buses $35

[Last modified March 8, 2008, 18:04:37]