Jan. 15, 2009

CHICAGO - Former University of Dayton soccer standout Chris Rolfe was one of 25 players that head coach Bob Bradley named to the U.S. Men's National Team training camp roster. It's the third consecutive season Rolfe has been named to the team. He is one of the four forwards listed on the U.S. roster.

As UD's all-time assist leader with 25, Rolfe was selected to the 2004 NSCAA/adidas Men's NCAA Division I All-America Second Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and was a First Team All-Atlantic 10 pick. Rolfe ranks sixth in career goals (31) and third in points (87).

Rolfe was drafted by the Fire in 2005 and scored a team-high eight goals and five assists in 29 contests. The Kettering, Ohio native finished the 2006 MLS season with seven goals and one assist in 21 games, while scoring six goals and three assists in 19 games for the Fire in 2007. In 2008, Rolfe led Chicago in goals scored (9), game-winning goals (3) and led the Fire to the MLS Eastern Conference Final. In his four-year MLS career, Rolfe has 30 goals and 16 assists.

"Chris is a very talented player that has so many qualities that you want," Fire forward Brian McBride said. "You can see what he can accomplish when he's confident."

The U.S. National Team began workouts Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer's National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The group is preparing for the USA's first match of 2009, a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24 at The Home Depot Center.

The U.S. will begin the final round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they host regional rivals Mexico on Feb. 11 at Columbus Crew Stadium. In addition to the ten matches in the final round hexagonal, the U.S. will compete in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June, having been drawn into Group B along with five-time World Cup winners Brazil, current World Champion Italy, and Egypt. Just days after the tournament, the U.S. will begin its defense of the CONCACAF Gold Cup title.