“As a player, you will always give 100 percent on the field,” said in a U.S. Soccer interview. “Not only because we are using this game as experience to get ready for the qualifiers, but because a lot of guys are still trying to prove to the coach why we should be here and that we should be part of the qualifying team.”

“We’re all fighting for a spot on the team. If we are to make it to the Olympics and are joined with China again, that just means that we will know each other a little bit better. All the best teams in the world know how each other play. What matters is what they do on the day (of the game).”

The U-23 squad has been in training camp for the past two weeks and will be ready for a real match environment when they play China on Thursday.

“Usually they are a very organized team and pretty physical, so we know that coming into these games. We’re sure it’s going to be tough playing against China in Changsha with a large crowd supporting them. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

More than 30,000 fans are expected tomorrow night at the Changsha He Long Sports Centre to witness Peter Nowak’s first match at the helm of the USA’s Olympic hopefuls. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 30’s at kickoff, which is set for 8:30 p.m. local time.

The teams will meet again three days later at the Yue Xiu Shan Stadium in Guangzhou.

U.S. Under 23 Men’s National Team Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Zac MacMath (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Jon Leathers (Furman University), Mike Randolph (Los Angeles Galaxy), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Michael Harrington (Kansas City Wizards), Aaron Hohlbein (Kansas City Wizards), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (CD Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS (5): Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)