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PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) -- FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty replaced defender Nathan Sturgis on the men's U.S. Olympic roster Thursday, added to the soccer squad after the Real Salt Lake defender aggravated a hamstring injury.
McCarty joined the team Thursday morning, a day before it was to leave for Hong Kong and the exhibition ING Cup.
Sturgis aggravated his right hamstring, injured initially several weeks ago when he played for Salt Lake. McCarty was a member of last year's U.S. team that reached the quarterfinals of the Under-20 World Cup in Canada and played four of five games during Olympic qualifying in March.
"I've always thought that the Olympics were one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and like many kids, I dreamt of one day playing in such a tournament," McCarty said. "It's obviously not the ideal way to be called up. You never wish injury upon anyone, but it is still an honor."
Sturgis also was a member of last year's U20 team, starting all five games, as well as the Olympic qualifying side, starting four of five contests.
McCarty has played in 11 of 17 games this season for FC Dallas.
The United States opens it Olympic schedule on Aug. 7 against Japan in Tianjin, China.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-07-24-08 2236MDT
