PORTLAND
, Ore.
– Earlier this week, former Portland Timbers defender
Mike Randolph
joined some of the United States’ top young talent in Carson, Calif., as the U-23 U.S. National Team began training for a two-match tour to China next week. Randolph was named to the squad on Nov. 28 when the U-23 roster was announced.
The U-23’s began training at the Home Depot Center on Dec. 1, and will depart for China on Saturday. The U.S. will play the Chinese U-23 team on Dec. 13 and 16 as they prepare for the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Championship next March. The two finalists of the CONCACAF U-23 tournament will qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Randolph, who played almost 1,500 minutes in 19 matches with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, is one of just two players on the U.S. U-23 roster making their debut at the international level.
With the Timbers in 2006, Randolph logged 2,170 minutes and one assist in 25 matches and was one of three finalists for the 2006 USL First Division Rookie of the Year award.
Three of the members on the U-23 U.S. National Team’s 22-man roster faced off against the Timbers during the 2007 season. Midfielder
Maurice Edu
and defender
Marvell Wynne
of Toronto FC battled against the Timbers in an exhibition match in October at PGE Park, while defender
Patrick Ianni
(Houston Dynamo) played the Timbers while on loan with the California Victory in July.
For a detailed report on the U-23 U.S. National Team’s training schedule, updates and photos, visit
www.ussoccer.com
.
