RSL players named to U.S. Olympic team for Beijing
By Michael C. Lewis
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 07/17/2008 11:11:00 AM MDT
Posted: 11:07 AM- Goalkeeper Chris Seitz and midfielder Nathan Sturgis of Real Salt Lake were named today to the U.S. Olympic Team for the upcoming Beijing Games in China, with striker Robbie Findley chosen as an alternate.
“I don’t look at it as anything other than it’s a great opportunity,” Seitz said recently. “If I get the opportunity to go, I’m going to represent my country and represent my family and everyone as best I can.”
Seitz has not played a Major League Soccer game for RSL this season, his second since becoming the fourth overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, and figures to be the backup for the Americans, who also named former Chivas USA keeper Brad Guzan to the team.
Having just transferred to Aston Villa of the English Premier League, Guzan is one of three “over-age” players named to the otherwise under-23 Olympic team, along with defender Michael Parkhurst of the New England Revolution and legendary national-team striker Brian McBride, who’s working on returning to MLS from Fulham of the Premier League.
Sturgis was something of a surprise selection, if only because he has scarcely played in the last two months because of a hamstring injury.
His entrance in the 89th minute of a victory over Columbus last weekend was his first appearance for RSL since April 19, and he left a reserve game at Brigham Young on Tuesday night after just eight minutes.
His injury history increases the likelihood that Findley could be on the team in China. Teams are allowed to replace injured players before the Olympics begin, so Findley could participate if Sturgis or another player cannot.
All three RSL players are expected to travel with the team to its game at Chicago on Saturday, before departing for training camp with the Olympic team. They probably will miss only two league games - against Toronto at home on July 28 and at Houston on Aug. 16 - though they could miss a third if they play unexpectedly well in China.
http://www.sltrib.com/realsaltlake/ci_9910650