University of North Carolina Athletics
Dax McCarty Added To Olympic Team
July 24, 2008 | Men's Soccer
July 24, 2008
CHICAGO - Midfielder Dax McCarty, a former All-America at North Carolina, has been added to the U.S. Men's Olympic Team after defender Nathan Sturgis has been ruled out of the Olympic Games with an injured hamstring.
With his selection, McCarty, who was an All-America at Carolina in 2005, joins Eddie Pope as the only Tar Heels to make a U.S. Olympic men's soccer roster. Pope played in the 1996 Atlanta games.
McCarty, who plays with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer, joined the team in Palo Alto, Calif., on Thursday morning in advance of their departure to Hong Kong for the ING Cup on Friday afternoon.
"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 to the Dallas Morning News. "It's obviously not the ideal way to be called up - you never wish injury upon anyone. But it is still an honor.
"The initial shock of learning that I will be an Olympian was unbelievable," McCarty said. "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."
McCarty, who played at Carolina in 2004-05 before turning pro, was a key part of the squad's successful run through Olympic Qualifying in March, playing in four games, starting three and racking up 270 minutes. He played the full 90 in the team's all-important semifinal win against Canada and was one of four American's named to the tournament's Best XI. He also traveled with the team to China for a pair of friendlies against the Olympic hosts, starting both of those games.
Sturgis re-aggravated his right hamstring, an injury suffered several weeks ago while playing for Real Salt Lake. Kansas City Wizards defender Michael Harrington, also a former standout at Carolina, will be added to the alternate list.
The U.S. has been drawn into a difficult Group B at 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.
Release courtesy U.S. Soccer
