U.S. Soccer, which failed to qualify a men’s team for the London Olympics in 2012, takes its shot at a trip to Rio 2016 this month, starting with a match Thursday night against Canada in Kansas City, Kan.
Four years ago, the United States washed out of qualifying, losing to Canada and tying El Salvador after surrendering an injury time goal. But that was an entirely different team, long enough ago that Freddy Adu played and scored for it, and with the Americans hosting again, there is renewed hope for a better result.
The Olympic tournament doubles as the under-23 world championship, and while teams are allowed to use three over-age players in the Games, qualifying is strictly for players who are 23 and under.