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FC Dallas Midfielder Dax McCarty Heading to the Olympics

July 24, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Thursday, July 24, 2008) - U.S. Men's Olympic Team head coach Peter Nowak has called in FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty to the team that will represent the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. McCarty, who was announced as an alternate when the team was named last week, will replace the injured Nathan Sturgis on the U.S. roster. The 21-year old McCarty will join the Olympic team for training in Palo Alto, California today.

"I've always thought that the Olympics were one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and like many kids, I dreamt of one day playing in such a tournament," said McCarty. "It's obviously not the ideal way to be called up - you never wish injury upon anyone. But it is still an honor."

The Olympic Team will travel to Hong Kong on Friday, July 25 for the ING Cup, facing fellow Olympic participants Ivory Coast on July 30 and Cameroon on Aug. 2 in the final two matches before the start of the Olympic Games.

"The initial shock of learning that I will be an Olympian was unbelievable," he added. "It's an honor, and I was speechless when I found out. I just want to help the team out anyway possible and hopefully help us win a medal."

In March 2008, McCarty helped the U.S. team qualify for the Olympics by playing in four of the five 2008 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying tournament games, in which the U.S. finished second behind Honduras. Following the tournament, the CONCACAF Technical Study Group selected McCarty to the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification All-Tournament "Best XI" team.

The U.S. has been drawn into a difficult Group B of the Olympic Games and will open against Japan on August 7 before facing the Netherlands on August 10, with both games taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin. The team will then travel to Worker's Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on August 13.

McCarty has appeared in 11 games for FC Dallas this season, registering one assist.

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