Wake Forest Athletics
Opara, Millington to Join U.S. Youth National Teams
7/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
July 23, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest men's soccer players Ike Opara and Nick Millington have been picked to join the U.S. U-20 National Team and the U.S. U-18 National Team, respectively, on a pair of upcoming trips.
Opara was one of six defenders selected for a trip to Argentina, which began on July 21. The 17-player team will play two games in Argentina as part of the Copa Cuidad de Rosario. The U.S. plays Uruguay on July 27 and closes the trip against Australia on July 29
Opara played with the U.S. U-20's earlier this year, starting a pair of games against Costa Rica in May.
The trip to Argentina will serve as the final preparation for the U.S. for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in September. The U.S. will face Germany (Sept. 26), Cameroon (Sept. 29) and Korea Republic (Oct. 2) during the first round.
A junior defender from Durham, N.C., Opara started 22 games during the 2008 season and contributed on 14 shutouts. He was named a first-team All-American by Top Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News after the 2008 season and was recently named a preseason first-team All-American by College Soccer News for the 2009 season. The 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year also scored five goals for the Deacs in 2008.
Millington was one of seven midfielders and 18 players selected to travel to Northern Ireland with the U.S. U-18 Men's National Team for the prestigious Milk Cup. The U.S. will play three games while in Northern Ireland, beginning on July 27 against Denmark. The U-18's will meet Germany on July 29, before a placement game is set for July 31.
Millington has seen quite a bit of time with the U-18's over the summer months as he also was part of the team that traveled to Portugal in late May. Millington saw time in all three games, including two starts, while in Portugal.
Millington played in 13 games, including one start, for Wake Forest during his rookie season. He finished the year with a goal and an assist.
