Californians Dominate Spots on Olympic Soccer Roster

Seven players were cut Friday from the U.S. Olympic soccer team, leaving an 18-man roster--12 of whom are from California--for qualifying, which begins April 21 in Hershey, Pa.

Cut were goalkeeper Andy Kirk of Tampa Bay; defenders Matt Chulis (Columbus), Eric Denton (D.C. United), Carlos Parra (New England) and Evan Whitfield (Chicago); midfielder Brian Winters (A-League); and forward Chris Brown (Kansas City).

California players selected were: defenders Dan Califf (Galaxy, Orange), Steve Churlundo (Hanover 96--Germany, San Diego), Ramiro Corrales (N.Y./N.J. MetroStars, Salinas), Brian Dunseth (New England Revolution, Upland) and Chad McCarty (Tampa Bay Mutiny, Clovis), midfielders Joey DiGimarino (Colorado Rapids, Corona), John O’Brien (Ajax Amsterdam, Playa del Rey), John Thorrington (Bayer Leverkusen--Germany, Palos Verdes), Peter Vagenas (Galaxy, Pasadena) and Sasha Victorine (Galaxy, Carmichael), forward Landon Donovan (Bayer Leverkusen, Redlands) and goalkeeper Adin Brown (Colorado Rapids, Pleasant Hill).

Others on the roster are goalkeeper Tim Howard (N.Y./N.J. MetroStars), midfielders DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire) and Ben Olsen (D.C. United) and forwards Chris Albright (D.C. United), Conor Casey (University of Portland) and Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire).