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U.S. Olympic team heavy on MLS players and light on veterans due to Copa conflict

Related Topics: Major League Soccer (MLS)

The U.S. will return to the men’s Olympic soccer tournament later this month with a roster featuring eight players off European clubs and 10 from MLS, making it the most international Olympic roster in U.S. history.

The U.S. will open against host France in Marseille on July 24, two days before the opening ceremonies. The U.S. will also face New Zealand and Guinea in group play, needing to finish in the top two to advance to the quarterfinals for just the second time since 1956.

Because the Olympics are an age-group tournament in men’s soccer, the 18-man roster was limited to players born on or after Jan.