The names are set (for the most part) as Piotr Nowak has released his Beijing Roster and yes, there are a few surprises.

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

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

DEFENDERS (5): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): 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)

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

U.S. Men’s Olympic Team Alternates List
Goalkeeper: Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract)
Defender: Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew)
Midfielder: Dax McCarty (FC Dallas)
Forward: Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

We always knew there would have to be one or two surprises, so let the second guessing of Piotr Nowak’s roster begin.

Who am I surprised about? Benny Feilhaber and Nathan Sturgis, based on injuries alone. The inclusion of Marvell Wynne instead of Kamani Hill tells me (reading through the lines) that Nowak is going with three in the back.

Players missing from the Concacaf Qualification Tournament - Kamani Hill, Dax McCarty, Chad Barrett, Hunter Freeman, Jonathan Spector,Sal Zizzo, Dominic Cervi, Dax McCarty and Robbie Findley (although the last three are alternates).

The team will get together Sunday July 20th in San Jose, California for a week of training before heading out to participate in the ING Tournament in Hong Kong with fellow Olympians Ivory Coast (July 30th) and Cameroon (August 2nd).

Keep something in mind.  Nowak has until July 25th to submit his FINAL roster.  That means a full week of training and two matches before the team gets to Beijing.  Just saying…