Indiana University Athletics
Sarkodie Showing Well at U-20 Camp
6/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
June 8, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana sophomore defender Ofori Sarkodie earned starts in the United States Under-20 National Team's final two games before the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup roster is announced. Sarkodie played the entirety of a pair of friendlies against Canada this week.
Sarkodie was one of 16 players on the roster during the Men's National Team's training camp over the last two weeks. Sarkodie started both a 4-1 victory for the United States on June 3 and a 4-0 loss to the Canadians on June 6. Thomas Rongen, the U-20 coach, will name his final roster for the FIFA U-20 World Cup next week, and the Americans will face Chile on June 23 in East Rutherford, N.J., as the final tune-up before the World Cup.
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held from June 30 to July 22 in Canada. The United States was drawn into Group D with Korea Republic, Poland and Brazil. After its opener against Korea Republic, the United States faces Poland on July 3 and concludes group play on July 6 against four-time U-20 world champion Brazil. The United States will play Korea Republic and Poland at The Olympic Stadium in Montreal before heading to Ottawa to face Brazil at Frank Clair Stadium.
Sarkodie started 13 games in his inaugural campaign for the Hoosiers, and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He helped Indiana to eight shutouts playing center back. The Hoosiers finished the 2006 season with a 15-4-3 record, winning the Big Ten Championship and reaching the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
