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2008 Olympics USMNT HIC

Jozy Altidore, Freddy Adu and the 2008 U.S. men's Olympic team: Where are they now?

It's crazy to think that it's been 16 years since U.S. Soccer sent a men's team to the Olympics. So much has changed in that decade and a half. Indeed, 2008 feels like three or four eras ago.

Maybe this 2024 men's U23 Olympic team will usher in a new era, although that's a topic for another day. To appreciate how far soccer has come, you also have to understand where soccer was. And with the Olympics looming, it's time for an important look back at the last team that participated in the Summer Games.

It wasn't a particularly memorable run at the 2008 Olympics, to be fair. The U.S. were unfortunate to go out in the group stage in the Beijing Games, despite amassing four points. They topped Japan in their opener, drew the Netherlands and fell to Nigeria in a do-or-die clash, ending their tournament prematurely.

For that particular U23 team, though, it was just the start of their journey. Several members of that 2008 team became legendary and led the U.S. men's national team into World Cups. A few are still kicking the ball professionally even today, while several others have emerged as some of the most prominent faces in American soccer due to their post-career work.

With that in mind, GOAL revisits the 2008 squad and what happened with them in the 16 years since.

  • Brad Guzan Germany United States International Friendly 10052015Getty Images

    GK: Brad Guzan

    One of the few players on that 2008 U.S. team that is still playing.

    Guzan had a lengthy career in Europe, largely with Aston Villa, before returning home to join Atlanta United in 2017. He's won three trophies with the Five Stripes, including an MLS Cup in 2018. Additionally, he earned 64 USMNT caps and went to two World Cups as Tim Howard's backup.

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  • Marvell Wynne San Jose Earthquakes MLSIsaiah J. Downing

    CB: Marvell Wynne

    Fans of FIFA, or EA FC as it's now called, will fondly remember Marvell Wynne.

    The centerback was known for his pace, making him a particular type of legend to the videogame community. In real life, he enjoyed a decade-long MLS career that saw him star for four MLS clubs while making more than 300 career appearances.

  • Michael Parkhurst Atlanta UnitedJaston Getz

    CB: Michael Parkhurst

    A classy defender for both club and country, Parkhurst earned 25 USMNT caps between 2007 and 2014.

    He played in three Gold Cups, winning two, but never quite cracked a World Cup roster despite coming close. On the club side, he was a six-time MLS All-Star with the New England Revolution, Columbus Crew and Atlanta United while also having an extended stint with Nordsjaelland in Denmark.

  • Michael Orozco USA 10082014Getty Images

    CB: Michael Orozco

    The defender was on the scene for a long time, playing in more than 400 games as a professional. The bulk of those appearances were in Liga MX, where he featured for San Luis, Pueblo, Tijuana and Lobos BUAP, with a stint in Philadelphia sandwiched in between.

    He featured 29 times for the USMNT and was part of the 2013 Gold Cup-winning team as well as the Copa America squad in 2016.

  • Maurice Edu USA 04022014Getty Images

    CM: Maurice Edu

    You'll have seen him all over your TV as a commentator and analyst, but, prior to that, Edu had one hell of a career.

    He became legendary in Scotland after scoring a famous Old Firm goal for Rangers, where he enjoyed the best years of his career. Edu also earned 46 caps for the USMNT, starring at the 2010 World Cup, where he would have scored against Slovenia if not for a controversial call.

  • Michael Bradley USMNTGetty

    CM: Michael Bradley

    A legendary USMNT star, Bradley went on to captain the senior team during his illustrious career.

    He earned 151 caps, good for third-most all-time while playing at two World Cups. After several seasons starring for Toronto FC, Bradley retired in 2023 and has since joined his father, ex-USMNT coach Bob Bradley, at Stabaek as an assistant.

  • Kljestan Galaxy 2022Getty

    CM: Sacha Kljestan

    The man was on the cover of FIFA 10 in the U.S., but that was just the beginning of a long and successful career.

    Two years post-Olympics, Kljestan left Chivas USA and MLS to head abroad, where he starred for Anderlecht for half a decade.

    He returned stateside in 2015 and was MLS' top assist-provider in 2016-17 during his best years with the New York Red Bulls.

    Kljestan went on to play for Orlando City and the LA Galaxy before calling it a career following the 2022 season, although he did briefly come out of retirement earlier this year to play for the Des Moines Menace in the U.S. Open Cup.

  • Freddy Adu USMNTGetty

    CM: Freddy Adu

    Everyone knows the story of Adu. He was once predicted to be the next Pele, but that never happened. His career, instead, was a winding road, one that saw him reach high levels but also incredible lows.

    Adu played for 15 teams during his 17-year club career, never coming close to reaching the heights many expected of him when he joined D.C. United at just 14. He surely had his moments, though. Adu earned 17 caps with the USMNT, highlighted by his play in the 2011 Gold Cup.

    For many, Adu is a case study of what happens when you give young players too much too soon. Even so, many players would trade anything to have reached the heights that Adu did during his time on the field. He's still active in and around the game, as he works training the next generation.

  • Holden DonovanGetty

    CM: Stu Holden

    Out of all the players on this list, you almost certainly hear from Holden the most.

    His playing career was, unfortunately, cut short by injury, but Holden has become one of the faces of American soccer in the years since as an analyst and commentator. He's one of the faces of FOX's coverage in the U.S., serving as one member of the network's top soccer broadcast team.

    As a player, though, Holden is a huge "what might have been." Prior to the leg injury suffered with Bolton Wanderers, Holden was a key member of the U.S. midfield, earning 25 caps along the way.

  • Jozy Altidore USMNTGetty

    ST: Jozy Altidore

    Simultaneously the most underrated and over-criticized player in USMNT history, Altidore ultimately sealed his place among the all-time greats during his illustrious career.

    He's the team's third-leading scorer all-time, behind only Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. His international career was hampered by untimely injuries, though, as Altidore saw several tournaments derailed before they could get going.

    On the club level, he had perhaps the best season by an American in Europe when he scored 31 goals for AZ in 2012-13 before eventually coming back and dominating MLS with Toronto FC.

  • McBride USMNT 2022Getty

    ST: Brian McBride

    McBride was a legend long before he stepped on the field at the Olympics in 2008.

    His USMNT career had ended two years prior and his legacy was totally secure. He'd scored 30 goals in 96 caps, and then was brought into that U.S. team at age 36 to provide veteran leadership.

    These days, McBride remains around the game as an executive, having recently served as general manager of the USMNT leading up to the 2022 World Cup.

  • McCarty Messi MLSGetty

    BENCH

    Chris Seitz: Had a lengthy career in MLS, primarily as a backup goalkeeper. Retired in 2021 after a stint with D.C. United.

    Dax McCarty: Still a key contributor in MLS. A regular for Atlanta United who has earned legendary status for his long career.

    Danny Szetela: Went on to serve as captain for the rebooted New York Cosmos, where he was one of the faces of the team.

    Charlie Davies: Another potential superstar whose career was impacted by injuries, still went on to have a great run as a player and is now in media with CBS.

    Benny Feilhaber: Best known for his time with Sporting KC, he also earned 44 USMNT caps. Now the head coach of Sporting KC II in MLS Next Pro.

    Patrick Ianni: A solid role player in MLS throughout his career, Ianni won two MLS Cups with the Houston Dynamo and three U.S. Open Cups with the Seattle Sounders.

    Robbie Rogers: A true trailblazer. Became the first openly gay man to play in a top American league after coming out in 2013. Was an MLS Best XI selection in 2008 and went on to earn 18 caps with the USMNT.

  • Nowak Philadelphia UnionGetty

    COACH: Piotr Nowak

    Nowak's career has taken him all over the world but, for about 15 years, he was involved in American soccer as a player and then as a coach.

    He managed D.C. United, the Philadelphia Union and, of course, this Olympic team while also serving as a USMNT assistant from 2007-09 as well. In recent years, he's managed Antigua and Barbuda as well as Luchai Gdansk and Jagiellonia Bialystok in his native Poland