U.S. MEN'S OLYMPIC TEAM 5 A.M. ET, AUGUST 13, LIVE ON USA NETWORK, NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL;

 

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center -- August 11, 2008

U.S. MEN'S OLYMPIC TEAM FACES NIGERIA IN CRUCIAL GROUP B MATCH AT
5 A.M. ET, AUGUST 13, LIVE ON USA NETWORK, NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL;
U.S. WNT SET TO FACE NEW ZEALAND IN MUST-WIN GROUP G MATCH

U.S. MEN'S OLYMPIC TEAM SITS ATOP GROUP B WITH FOUR POINTS: The U.S. Men's Olympic Team is in first place in Group B after two matches at the 2008 Olympic Games. The U.S. defeated Japan, 1-0, in their opening match and tied, 2-2, with the Netherlands in their second Group B matchup for four points, tying in points and goal differential with Nigeria but coming ahead with three goals in favor while Nigeria has scored only two. The U.S. will advance to the quarterfinals with either a win or a draw against Nigeria, or a Japan win or draw versus the Netherlands. The two teams will face off in their final group match at 5 p.m. local time / 5 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 13. The match will be broadcast live on USA Network and NBC Olympic Soccer Channel. Fans can also follow along on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.

U.S. Men's Olympic Group B Schedule
Date        Opponent      Result / Time (ET)
Aug. 7     Japan              1-0 W
Aug. 10   Netherlands     2-2 T
Aug. 13   Nigeria            5 a.m (Live on USA Network, NBC Olympic Soccer Channel)

U.S. WNT FACES NEW ZEALAND IN FINAL GROUP G MATCH: The U.S. Women's Olympic Team faces New Zealand at 7:45 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 12, live on MSNBC and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel. Fans can also follow along on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker. A win against New Zealand would guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals for the U.S. Women, who dropped their first game to Norway, 2-0, and came back to defeat Japan, 1-0, in their second match.

U.S. WNT Olympic Group G Schedule
Date        Opponent           Result / Time (ET)
Aug. 6      Norway              0-2 L
Aug. 9     Japan                  1-0 W
Aug. 12   New Zealand       7:45 a.m. ET (Live on MSNBC [broadcast at 7:30 a.m. ET],
                                                                 NBC Olympic Soccer Channel)

NBC PROVIDES CHANNEL EXCLUSIVELY FOR OLYMPIC SOCCER COVERAGE: NBC Universal has launched a channel exclusively dedicated to full coverage of Men's and Women's Soccer at the 2008 Olympic Games. A total of 32 Men's and 26 Women's Soccer Games will be shown in their entirety on the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel, in addition to coverage on USA Network, MSNBC and live streaming on NBCOlympics.com. The seven NBC Networks — NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, Telemundo and Universal HD — will provide an unprecedented 3,600 hours of coverage, all in high definition. NBCOlympics.com will also provide over 3,000 hours of on-demand access to full event replays and extensive highlights. The NBC Olympic Soccer Channel is available on most major cable, satellite and telephone companies and distributors.

– U.S. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAMS UPDATE –

U.S. UNDER-20 WOMEN WIN FINAL MATCH OF ENGLAND TOUR: After dropping their first two matches of a three-game tour in England, the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team defeated the Chelsea Ladies, 2-1, in their final match. The U.S. team headed for Europe after a training camp in New Jersey and faced Everton on July 30, falling 1-0 after hitting the post twice. Two days later against Arsenal, one of the top women's clubs in the world, the USA played well, but fell behind, 3-0, as superstar Kelly Smith scored against the run of play, the USA gave up a penalty and then a goal off a corner kick. Alex Morgan pulled a late goal back with three minutes left. The U.S. heads home as the bulk of the team is preparing for their college pre-season camps, although there will be some U-20 activity during the college season. DiCicco is preparing his side for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to be held in Chile in December. The 16 teams that will compete for the U-20 world title this year are:

Asia: China, Japan, North Korea
Africa: Congo DR, Nigeria
Europe: England, France, Germany, Norway
CONCACAF: Canada, USA, Mexico
Oceania: New Zealand
South America: Brazil, Argentina
Host: Chile

U.S. U-18 MNT WRAP UP SOUTH AMERICA TOUR AGAINST ESTUDIANTES: The U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team wrapped up their tour of South America on Wednesday, Aug. 6, with a 3-0 loss to the Argentinean club Estudiantes '89 team. The U.S. U-18 Men kicked off the tour by participating in the City of Trinidad Under-20 International Tournament in which they finished in third place after starting off with a 1-0 loss to Venezuela on July 31. The squad defeated Paraguay, 1-0, on Aug. 2 before falling, 3-1, to Uruguay one day later.

U.S. U-18 MNT Schedule / Results
Date        Opponent        Result    U.S. Goal Scorer(s)
July 31    Venezuela       0-1 L        --
Aug. 2     Paraguay        1-0 W       Anthony Arena
Aug. 3     Uruguay          1-3 L         Latif Alashe
Aug. 6     Estudiantes   0-3 L          --

– AROUND THE SOCCER NATION –

U.S REFEREES PARTICIPATE IN OLYMPIC GAMES, BLOG THEIR EXPERIENCE: The U.S. referee team of Kari Seitz, Marlene Duffy and Veronica Perez have already officiated their first matches at the 2008 Olympic Games, as have full-time U.S. referee Jair Marrufo and Kermit Quisenberry. The five U.S. officials keep fans filled in on the behind-the-scenes action, as well as what's going on in the soccer tournament from a referee point of view, at "Official Take," the official referee blog. Check it out here: http://ussoccer-referees.blogspot.com/

U.S. SOCCER COACHING SYMPOSIUM HELD SEPT. 9-10 IN CHICAGO: U.S. Soccer's Coaching Department will conduct a coaching symposium from Sept. 9-10 in conjunction with the U.S. Men's National Team 2010 FIFA Men's World Cup qualifying match against Trinidad & Tobago in Chicago. U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director of Scouting Dave Sarachan and members of the U.S. MNT coaching staff will present at the symposium. Cost for the symposium is $125 for active U.S. Soccer CoachesNet members and $140 for non-members. Registration includes a ticket (Section 209) to the game, day of game reception, and game day parking pass. Cost of registration also includes a personalized symposium packet which contains a 2008 Men's National Team yearbook, a Best Practices booklet, a Kwik Goal gift, and a U.S. Soccer CoachesNet notebook. Registration is open to all coaches. "A" licensed coaches will earn two Continuing Education Units for attending the two-day symposium.

YOUTH SOCCER MONTH CELEBRATION SET FOR 2008: The national celebration of Youth Soccer Month – Celebrating Soccer in America this September is set for 2008. In addition to great events and opportunities to join in the celebration, Youth Soccer Month is all about emphasizing soccer as the No. 1 youth participation sport in America and a leading contributor to the healthy lifestyle of millions of American Families. Soccer brings kids and families of all ages and abilities together for fun, friendship and fitness. The month will highlight the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs. Learn more at www.YouthSoccerMonth.org.

U.S. OPEN CUP SEMIFINALS TAKE PLACE TUESDAY, AUG. 12: The New England Revolution and D.C. United face off in the semifinals of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 12. In the other semifinal, USL First Division clubs clash for a chance to advance to the tournament final. The Seattle Sounders, who will join Major League Soccer in 2009, travel to face the Charleston Battery at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal Schedule
Date       Matchup                                                                                     Venue; City/State                                  Time
Aug. 12  New England Revolution (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)                RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.          7:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 12  Seattle Sounders (USL1) at Charleston Battery (USL1)                Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.   7:30 p.m. ET

*** CENTER CIRCLE SPOTLIGHT ***

PEAK PERFORMER: U.S. Men's Olympic Team midfielder Stuart Holden has been showcasing his talents well at the 2008 Olympic Games, putting in a solid performance in the team's first two matches. In the first match, in which the U.S. defeated Japan, Holden not only slammed home the goal, he also was an integral part in maintaining the team's lead. Against the Netherlands, Holden didn't put his name on the stat sheet but his solid performance was vital to earning a point against the reigning European Champions.

MARQUEE MATCHUP: The U.S. Men and Women's Olympic Teams have one final group match to go to determine who will advance to the tournament quarterfinals. The U.S. Women face New Zealand at 7:45 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 12, live on MSNBC and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel. The U.S. Men take on Nigeria at 5 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 13, live on USA Network and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel. Both matches can also be followed live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.

QUOTABLE: "I was just pumped. It was a fun moment. I went to where I thought my mom was sitting to try and point her out, but I don't even know if I did. It was a lot of fun."
-- U.S. Men's Olympic Team forward Jozy Altidore, on his goal celebration after scoring the second goal in the team's 2-2 tie with the Netherlands.

- ussoccer.com -

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