It definitely wasn’t the easiest draw for the United States (I think that’s going to Brazil with a group that includes Belgium, China and New Zealand), but you knew it was going to be difficult no matter what.

Facing Japan in the opening match on August 7th in Tianjin will provide a great opening test for the Americans, who the United States beat in Penalty Kicks in the Quater-Finals in Adelaide during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Next up on August 10th (also in Tianjin) will be a Dutch squad that boasts the likes of Liverpool’s Ryan Babel, PSV’s Ibrahim Affelay, Feyenoord’s Jonathan de Guzman (Canadian transplant) and Real Madrid’s Royston Drenthe just to name a few.

Rounding out Group B play with be a tough, physical match up with Nigeria on August 13th in Beijing at the National Stadium.

Other Groups include;

Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Australia

Italy, Cameroon, South Korea and Honduras

Brazil, Belgium, China and New Zealand

Peter Nowak will have to have his roster finalized in late July and keep this in mind. Nowak can only name an 18 man roster for the Olympic Games, including his THREE over age players.

And you thought there were surprises for the Olympic Qualification Tournament?  Makes you realize how important the Toulon Tournament could be for some players.
[image and information via USSoccer.com]

Men’s Olympic Group B Schedule