NEW ZEALAND: All Whites call up five U.S.-based players for Confederations Cup

New Zealand coach Mick Waitt called up five U.S.-based players for the Confederations Cup in France.

MLS veterans Ryan Nelsen (D.C. United), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew) and Simon Elliott (Los Angeles Galaxy) head the list.

Also in the squad are Gavin Wilkinson of the A-League's Portland Timbers and Stanford University junior Michael Wilson. Like Nelsen and Elliott, Wilson was recruited to play for the Cardinal by former New Zealand coach Bobby Clarke. Clarke is now at Notre Dame.

Only two players were picked from clubs in the New Zealand National League. Waitt picked four players from Auckland's Football Kingz, who play in Australia's National Soccer League.

The All Whites, who feature 12 players from their 1999 Confederations Cup squad, face the A-League's Virginia Beach Mariners today and the U.S. national team Sunday in Richmond, Va.

NEW ZEALAND ROSTER:

Goalkeepers: Jason Batty (Caversham), Mark Paston (Napier City Rovers), Michael Utting (Football Kingz).

Defenders: Gerard Davis (Tampere/FIN), Danny Hay (Walsall/ENG), Ryan Nelsen (D.C. United/USA), Scott Smith (Kingstonian/ENG), David Mulligan (Barnsley/ENG), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew/USA), Chris Zoricich (Newcastle/AUS).

Midfielders: Mark Burton (Football Kingz), Raf De Gregorio (Football Kingz), Simon Elliott (Los Angeles Galaxy/USA), Noah Hickey (Tampere/FIN), Chris Jackson (Football Kingz), Aaran Lines (Ruch Chorzow/POL), Ivan Vicelich (Roda JC/NED), Gavin Wilkinson (Portland Timbers/USA).

Strikers: Kris Bouckenooghe (KSK Ronse/BEL), Vaughan Coveny (South Melbourne/AUS), Chris Killen (Oldham/ENG), Shane Smeltz (Adelaide City/AUS), Michael Wilson (Stanford Univ./USA).