Arena goes for youth and experience in Confederations Cup squad

United States coach Bruce Arena named a 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup tournament which takes places in France from June 18 to 29 with 10 of his 2002 World Cup squad hanging on to their places.

"We have selected a group of players that combines experience and youth," said Arena.

"The Confederations Cup presents a great challenge to our team and an opportunity to compete against some of the best countries in the world.

"For many of these players, it will be their first experience in a competition of this calibre, so the games can only benefit our group as we progress towards World Cup qualifying in 2004."

Amongst the survivors from the World Cup, where the United States made the quarter-finals, are Landon Donovan and Earnie Stewart, the 34-year-old striker with 87 caps.

USA squad

Goalkeepers: Joe Cannon (Lens/FRA), Marcus Hahnemann (Reading/ENG), Tim Howard (New Jersey)

Defenders: Greg Vanney (Bastia/FRA), Gregg Berhalter (Cottbus/GER), Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago), Dan Califf (Los Angeles), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover/GER), Eddie Pope (New Jersey), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)

Midfielders: Chris Armas (Chicago), Bobby Convey (DC United), Chris Klein (Kansas City), Eddie Lewis (Preston/ENG), Kyle Martino (Columbus), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus)

Strikers: DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago), Jeff Cunningham (Columbus), Landon Donovan (San Jose), Jovan Kirovski (Birmingham/ENG), Earnie Stewart (D.C United), Clint Mathis (New Jersey), Taylor Twellman (New England)