ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (June 10, 2005) – U.S. U-20 defender Michael Harrington has been added to the 21-man World Youth Championship roster in place of Tim Ward. Ward had suffered a strained hamstring during the MetroStars’ match against the Kansas City Wizards on May 25, but still made the trip with the U.S. Under-20s in hopes of recovering in time for the opening match, or at least the second or third group game.

The team trainer and doctor began rehab with Ward on June 2, the day the team arrived in Holland, but despite Ward’s best efforts the medical staff made the decision on Thursday that he would not be able to go for the tournament.

Harrington (UNC) made the trip to Holland and has been training with the team the entire time. Head coach Sigi Schmid announced the news to the team before practice, thanking Ward for his efforts and welcoming Harrington onto the roster. This will be the second time Harrington has participated in a world championship as he was also with the U.S. Under-17s in Finland in 2003.

U.S. 2005 World Youth Championship Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): 21-Justin Hughes (UNC), 17-Andrew Kartunen (Stanford), 1-Quentin Westberg (ESTAC Troyes);

DEFENDERS (7): 6-Greg Dalby (Notre Dame), 15-Hunter Freeman (Colorado Rapids), 5-Patrick Ianni (UCLA), 3-Jonathan Spector (Manchester United), 4-Nathan Sturgis (Clemson), 16-Michael Harrington (UNC), 2-Marvell Wynne (UCLA);

MIDFIELDERS (7): 11-Freddy Adu (D.C. United), 20-Brad Evans (UC-Irvine), 8-Benny Feilhaber (UCLA), 10-Eddie Gaven (MetroStars), 12-Will John (Chicago Fire), 7-Sacha Kljestan (Seton Hall), 19-Danny Szetela (Columbus Crew);

FORWARDS (4): 9-Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), 14-Lee Nguyen (Dallas Texans), 18-Sammy Ochoa (Tecos), 13-Jacob Peterson (Indiana).