Wake Forest Athletics
Ike Opara Named to U.S. U-23 Roster
2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 16, 2012
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CHICAGO, Ill. - Former Wake Forest men's soccer defender Ike Opara was named on the final roster for the U.S. U-23 National Team on Thursday, February 16.
The roster will convene on Feb. 19 for a 10-day training camp and two scrimmages in Frisco, Texas and will conclude with a match against Mexico's U-23 National Team on Wednesday, Feb. 29 at FC Dallas Stadium.
It is an important stretch for the group, as they prepare for the Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament - group play begins on March 22 at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn. Opara will be making his first appearance with the U-23 team after making seven appearances with the U-20 team in 2009.
An athletic and imposing defender, Opara was a member of the Deacs' 2007 NCAA Championship team and played in 65 career matches for Wake Forest, scoring nine goals. He was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2008 and 2009) and was drafted in the first round (3rd overall) by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2010 MLS Draft.
Roster By Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
DEFENDERS (7): Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Ike Opara (San Jose Earthquakes), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo), Zarek Valentin (Montreal Impact), Jorge Villafaña (Chivas USA)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (Gent), Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union), Michael Stephens (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS (8): Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Tony Taylor (Estoril Praia)
