UPDATE - US Soccer and U-23 Head Coach Peter Nowak have announced the roster for the Toulon Tournament that kicks off May 21st.

While it doesn’t have the big name players were used to seeing, there will be a few to keep an eye on, namely Benny Feilhaber.

Anyone else think this tournament could earn him not only a spot in Beijing, but also a new club?

Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake), Quentin Westburg (Troyes)

DEFENDERS (10): Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Eric Brunner (out of contract), Kyle Davies (Southampton), Michael Gavin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Jonathan Leathers (Kansas City Wizards), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Julian Valentin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Rob Valentino (New England Revolution), Blake Wagner (FC Dallas)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), Greg Dalby (SC Charleroi), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Lee Nguyen (Randers FC)

FORWARDS (4): Gabe Ferrari (Sampdoria), Bryan Jordan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ellis McLoughlin (Hertha Berlin), Sammy Ochoa (U.A.G.)

[Courtesy of US Soccer]

Usually the Toulon Tournament is a U-21 Tournament (something I was fortunate enough to take part in with the US Under-20’s back in 1997) , but in Olympic years it becomes a U-23 Tournament used as a build up to the games and for coaches to get a last look at the squad before final rosters are finalized.

The 2008 version of the Toulon Tournament will be held in May and will be fast paced, opening up on the 20th and the finals played on the 29th.

The United States (placed in Group B) will face Turkey on May 21st, Ivory Coast on May 23rd and Italy on the 25th with the top two teams qualifying for the Semi-Finals, which will be played on the 27th and the Finals on the 29th.

Group A will consist of hosts France, Japan, Holland and Chile.

[Courtesy of Festival “Espoirs” International]

Le Programme du 20 au 29 mai 2008

DATE Heure Ville Stade Match Groupe 20/05/08 18:10:00 Toulon Mayol Japon / Pays-Bas A 20/05/08 20:30:00 Toulon Mayol France / Chili A 21/05/08 15:50:00 Toulon Mayol Turquie / Etats-Unis B 21/05/08 18:10:00 Toulon Mayol Côte d’Ivoire / Italie B 22/05/08 18:10:00 Hyères Perruc France / Japon A 22/05/08 20:30:00 Hyères Perruc Pays-Bas / Chili A 23/05/08 18:30:00 La Seyne Marquet Côte d’Ivoire / Etats-Unis B 23/05/08 20:50:00 La Seyne Marquet Italie / Turquie B 24/05/08 18:30:00 Solliès-Pont Murat Chili / Japon A 24/05/08 18:30:00 Saint Cyr Saulnier France / Pays-Bas A 25/05/08 18:00:00 La Valette du Var Vallis Laeta Italie / Etats-Unis B 25/05/08 18:00:00 Aubagne De Lattre Côte d’Ivoire / Turquie B

While Turkey, France and Chile didn’t qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, both Turkey and France will seemingly use this tournament as a warm-up for their Euro U-21 Tournament that will be held in Sweden next year, while Chile can use this opportunity for experience against top flight opponents.

For the United States, you’d think that Head Coach Peter Nowak would have the ability to call on his European based players (something he hasn’t been able to do with any ease whatsoever), but MLS based players might be a bit more difficult. With MLS Coaches already struggling with early season injuries and knowing that they’re going to lose some of their star players during the difficult summer months to the Olympics (already tight limitations with MLS roster size), Nowak might have to cut a paste a team together which would not be at full strength.

While I understand the plight of MLS coaches and the current situations that they’re dealing with, success at this tournament could go a long way in terms of preparation for the Summer Games, which in turn will mean more success for MLS and US Soccer in the long run.

And don’t forget about the opportunities that might fall to the feet of these young players with all the scouts, agents and massive clubs that will be scouring a tournament like this.

image via Festival-Foot-Espoirs