U.S. U-23 men's mational team coach Clive Charles today announced the 18-player roster that will compete in a friendly against Brazil on Wednesday, April 7 at Brasilia Stadium. The team departs for
Sao Paulo, Brazil on April 4 before traveling on to Brasilia the following day. The Brazil friendly marks the first U-23 call-up for U.S. U-17 scoring sensation Landon Donovan, who has scored 15
goals in 15 games in 1999, including six goals in four international matches. Donovan is currently competing with the U-17s in the Dallas Cup, and will join the team this weekend. "He's one of our
brightest young prospects, so this opens the door for him to see what he can do at this level," said Charles, who also coaches the men's and women's collegiate soccer programs at the University of
Portland. "He's someone that we have to keep on eye on for the Olympic team later on. The team heading to Brazil is a very young, experimental side, which gives us an opportunity to give them some
experience. "We're not calling the majority of MLS players in because they're getting serious playing time in MLS, and it's more important for the development of the individuals and the league that
they stay with their clubs." The squad does boast several professional players from the MLS ranks, including midfielder Carlos Parra (Miami), goalkeeper Matt Napoleon (Columbus) and midfielder
Ramiro Corrales (MetroStars). Following the trip to Brazil, the next scheduled match for the Under-23s is against Canada on May 19 at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. For more information
or to purchase tickets, fans may call (843) 740-7787. The United States will also host the final round of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying, which has been tentatively set for April 2000. Locations for
these matches, which has the top two teams from the region advance to compete in Sydney, Australia, have not been selected. Here is the U.S. roster:
Goalkeepers -- Adin Brown (William &
Mary), Matt Napoleon (Columbus Crew).
Defenders -- Matt Chulis (Columbus Crew), Ramiro Corrales (MetroStars), Tim Sahaydak (Miami Fusion), Evan Whitfield (Ghent, Belgium).
Midfielders
-- Conor Casey (Porchester, N.Y., H.S.), Antonio Otero (D.C. United), Carlos Parra (Miami Fusion), Michael Preis (Cal State Northridge), Steve Shak (UCLA), Peter Vagenas (UCLA), Sasha Victorine
(UCLA), Brian Winters (Portland).
Forwards -- Scott Bower (San Jose Clash), Chris Brown (Kansas City Wizards), Landon Donovan (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
