U.S. SOCCER: Myernick calls up 18 players for U.S.-Haiti U-23 friendly

U.S. under-23 coach Glenn Myernick called up 18 players — 16 from MLS and one each from the A-League and college ranks — for the friendly against Haiti Wednesday in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The game is a tuneup for the second-round series in Olympic qualifying Nov. 15 and Nov. 19 against St. Kitts & Nevis.

Missing are U-23 candidates from the Chicago Fire and MetroStars, who meet Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup final at Giants Stadium.

Haiti clinched a spot in the second round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region with a 1-0 victory the Dominican Republic Sunday at Miami's Orange Bowl.

U.S. U-23 ROSTER:

Goalkeepers — D. J. Countess (Dallas Burn), Josh Saunders (San Jose Earthquakes).

Defenders — Nelson Akwari (Columbus Crew), Nat Borchers (Colorado Rapids), Ricky Lewis (Los Angeles Galaxy), David Stokes (D.C. United), Chris Wingert (St. John's Univ.).

Midfielders — Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids), Brian Carroll (D.C. United), Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew), Jordan Stone (Dallas Burn), David Testo (Richmond Kickers), Seth Trembly M Colorado Rapids).

Forwards — Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew), Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United), Eddie Johnson (Dallas Burn), Casey Schmidt (Colorado Rapids).