July 17, 2008

Chicago - Former Wake Forest men's soccer star Michael Parkhurst has been chosen to represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as announced by U.S. Men's Olympic Team head coach Peter Nowak on Thursday. Parkhurst, currently a member of the New England Revolution, is one of four defenders on the 18-man U.S. squad.

"It's any athlete's dream to compete in the Olympics and represent your country at the highest level," Parkhurst said on revolutionsoccer.net, the official Web site of the New England Revolution. "I'm excited about joining the team next week to start preparing for the Games before we head to Asia."

A native of Providence, R.I., Parkhurst is in his fourth year with the Revolution. He was recently selected for his third MLS All-Star Game. Parkhurst was named MLS Gatorade Rookie of the Year in 2005 and earned MLS Visa Defender of the Year honors in 2007.

"I am really proud of Michael for making the Olympic team," Wake forest men's soccer coach Jay Vidovich said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him to represent his country in the Olympics and I wish him nothing but the best."

Parkhurst was a member of the Wake Forest men's soccer team from 2002-04. A starter in all 62 games he played, Parkhurst was twice named all-South Region and was a first-team All-America choice by Soccer America in 2004. He was also named a second-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2003 and 2004.

The U.S. team opens up Group B play on August 7 against Japan. The team meets the Netherlands on August 10 and 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion on August 13. For more information, visit www.ussoccer.com.

2008 U.S. MEN'S OLYMPIC TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (5): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

-WakeForestSports.com-