The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games are more than a year away, but there will be an Olympic feeling in the air on Wednesday, May 19, when the U.S. U-23 national team faces their counterparts from Canada at 7 p.m. ET at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. In preparation for the international match, U.S. coach Clive Charles, the man who will lead the United States into qualifying for the Sydney Games, has announced the 17-player roster for the match. “We’re proud to bring this national team to Charleston and this great new soccer stadium,” said Charles, referring to Blackbaud. “Obviously we have a long way to go before we can think about Sydney, but this match is an important measuring stick for us to determine where we are in our preparations.” Several of the top young American players, including budding MLS stars Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire), Brian West (Columbus Crew) and Joey DiGiamarino (Colorado Rapids) will be on hand for the international match at Blackbaud Stadium. Wolff, a former University of South Carolina All-American, has been particularly impressive in just his second season as a professional. The crafty forward recently netted the Chicago Fire’s game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over D.C. United. “It’s been a long time coming, and I’m very glad to have [Wolff] back with the team,” said Charles. “I imagine it will be exciting for him to return to South Carolina, where he was such a success in college.” Also named to the squad is European-based defender Evan Whitfield, a former Duke All-American, and forward Chris Albright (University of Virginia), who joins the U-23 squad after recently returning from Nigeria and the 1999 FIFA World Youth (U-20) Championship. The U.S. U-23 team is comprised of players eligible to represent the U.S. at Sydney 2000. The squad faced Canada twice in 1998; a scoreless draw on March 28 was followed by a resounding 3-0 U.S. victory in Beaverton, Ore., on March 30. The U.S. U-23s have accumulated a record of 4-2-4 already this year heading into the match against Canada. Among the more promising victories for the U.S. was a 2-0 win over Germany on Feb. 8 in Jacksonville, Fla. The United States will host the final round of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying, which has been tentatively set for April 2000. Locations for these matches, which will see the top two teams from the region advancing to compete in Sydney, have not been selected. To purchase tickets to the USA-Canada match on May 19 at Blackbaud Stadium, fans may call the Charleston Battery offices at (843) 740-7787. Tickets for the event range from $6 – $10. Here is the U-23 roster: Goalkeepers — Adin Brown (William & Mary), Matt Napoleon (Columbus Crew). Defenders — Matt Chulis (Columbus Crew), Ramiro Corrales (MetroStars), Brian Dunseth (New England Revolution), Evan Whitfield (KAA Ghent, Belgium). Midfielders — Joey DiGiamarino (Colorado Rapids), Jason Moore (D.C. United), Antonio Otero (D.C. United), Carlos Parra (Miami Fusion), Michael Preis (Cal State Northridge), Steve Shak (UCLA), Peter Vagenas (UCLA), Brian Winters (Portland). Forwards — Chris Albright (Virginia), Brian West (Columbus Crew), Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire).