With Olympic qualifying fast approaching, US Under-23 coach Piotr Nowak must turn his attention away from the Summer Games for now, but we won't.

The pool is deeper than it has ever been before and there may be players with caps for the full National Team that will not be able to earn a spot on the eventual Olympic squad. In this edition, we have a changes to the starters on both sides of midfield.

The strength of the team will most certainly be in the midfield, with the proven combination of Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley providing the backbone for the Olympic squad once they arrive in Beijing. However, these players will likely be unavailable for March's qualifying tournament as their European club teams will be busy.

In March, the US will rely heavily on MLS-based players such as Josmer Altidore, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan and Nathan Sturgis to earn qualification before their World counterparts can join them in China.

Here's my best observation of the current depth chart of Piotr Nowak's Olympic squad, with projected starters listed in boldface.

If you have any comments, criticisms or a squad list of your own, let us know at contact@americansoccerdaily.com.

U-23 Depth Chart

Goalkeepers

Chris Seitz – The amount of professional experience is close to none for this group, but Seitz has been groomed as the next great American goalkeeper. If Coach Nowak deems his good enough in August, he'll start. If not, expect an overage player to start in between the pipes.

Tally Hall – The 6'4" Esbjerg fB goalkeeper doesn't have many chances to impress the coaching staff, but did backup Seitz in the last game the U-23's played. He's #2 right now, but not by too far ahead of the quickly rising #3.

Dominic Cervi - The first round MLS SuperDraft selection has risen more than any other player in the pool. In early January, he was completely off the radar. After a solid MLS combine, he was brought into U-23 camp and continued to impress. Cervi is a solid #3 at this point. 

Quentin Westberg – The French-based goalie has the most experience of the group, but hasn't been called into camp in years. Westberg is a long shot, but if injuries occur, you know Westberg will get a phone call. 

Josh Lambo – The Under-17 World Cup goalkeeper is the youngest of the group, but is now a professional with FC Dallas. If he's taken to Beijing, it's highly unlikely he will see any field time. 
 
Left Back

Mike Randolph – The Galaxy defender has solidified himself as the top option in what appears to be the most underwhelming position on the team. Expect coach Nowak to select an overage player here, and for Randolph to be the backup. 

Anthony Wallace – The FC Dallas prospect is still age eligible for the U-20 team, but is also in serious contention for a spot on the U-23 team. With the U-20's he'd play a more traditional midfield role, but with the U-23's expect him to contend for an outside back spot. 

Tim Ward – The Columbus Crew outside was once thought to be a top prospect. He's still young and has U-23 qualification to show to coaches that he is ready for the next level. Right now, he's on the outside looking in.

Center Back

Jonathan Spector – West Ham United defender Jonathan Spector is the clear, but favorite to be one of the center backs in China. The US international may even make an appearance in Nashville to help the US through qualification. 

Patrick Ianni – The MLS champions are a little thinner in the back now that Ryan Cochrane has moved to San Jose. However, it gives Ianni a chance to be a regular starter in the league's top defensive unit. 

Neven Subotic – To play for the US or to play for Serbia? That is the million dollar question. If Subotic chooses to play for the US he moves to #2. 

Nathan Sturgis – The former Clemson Tiger has been one of the most consistent defenders in the pool, but really hasn't had many "wow" moments over the last year. With competition picking up, he needs to up the ante to be a factor in Beijing. 

Steve Purdy – The 1860 Munich II defender is an option to have on the bench. With the latest crop of MLS defenders beginning to blossom, however, Purdy might be on the losing end of the numbers game.

Eric Brunner – The Ohio State standout has made a solid impression on Juan Carlos Osorio early in Red Bulls training camp and could be a starter at the beginning of the season. There isn't much time to Beijing, so he needs a quick start to have a chance of being on the Olympic squad. 

Right Back

Marvell Wynne – The Toronto FC defender has been the starter for Nowak ever since the U-23 qualification process began. Freeman is a solid choice, but Wynne has that gear which makes him more attractive to the lineup Nowak plans to integrate. 

Hunter Freeman – When Freeman was healthy in 2007, he was one of the New York Red Bulls top players. However, a few nagging injuries have prevented him from challenging for the spot Wynne currently holds.  

Chance Myers - The top pick in the MLS SuperDraft should play from the get-go for Kansas City. A stellar start to the season could be enough for him to book his flight to Beijing. 

Left Midfielder

Arturo Alvarez – The trade of Carlos Ruiz to Los Angeles is a blessing for Alvarez as he's now slated to start up top for the Hoops. 

Robbie Rogers – The former Heerenveen winger finished the year well for Columbus and is poised for a breakout season. 

Michael Harrington – Harrington started off the 2007 season well, but fell out of the spotlight by year end. He appears to be a tweener as he's good at both left defender and left midfielder, but stellar at neither. 

Corey Ashe- The Houston Dynamo sub looks to have a larger role this year. His speed and quickness make him a solid late game option.

Central Midfielder

Michael Bradley – The Heerenveen star is having the greatest season ever had by an American outfield player on European soil. He won't be in Tampa or Nashville for qualification, but he's first choice starter and a midfield cog for the team that plays in Beijing. 

Freddy Adu – Adu is a possibility to play in qualification, but like Bradley is an important part of the team in Beijing. Like the U-20 World Cup, expect the play to flow through the feet of Adu. This team will go as far as Adu can take them, which could be to the medal rounds. 

Maurice Edu – With the lack of defensive options, Coach Nowak has been trying Edu in the backline. Whether that project works remains to be seen. If it doesn't, Edu is at worst a backup to Bradley in Beijing. 

Benny Feilhaber – The Derby midfielder is an exciting prospect for the US team as he adds a different element, especially if Adu is unavailable, but his lack of first team minutes is worrying to say the least. 

Sacha Kljestan – The Chivas USA midfielder may be about the most underrated player in the midfield depth chart. He may not have the flash of Adu or the grit of Bradley, but he has a nice combination of skills which do not go unnoticed by the coaching staff. 

Danny Szetela – His loan move from Racing Santander to Serie B's Brescia may be just the lift he needed to jump back into contention for a roster spot. 

Right Midfielder

Stuart Holden – The Dynamo midfielder continues to add to his resume after scoring in the Dynamo's 3-0 win over Sydney FC. Holden is primed to start in qualifying and is a very strong bet to make the team that will play in Beijing.  

Eddie Gaven – The former MLS Best XI player has been passed in the pecking order by Holden. Gaven has proven he can score goals, but his crossing and passing ability is still a question mark compared to his competition. 

Sal Zizzo – The Hannover 96 winger has moved up at his club and now has featured multiple times on the substitute bench. He will need to see the field to have a chance to beat out Holden or Gaven for a shot at the Olympic squad. 

Lee Nguyen – The former Indiana Hoosier made a move to Danish club Randers, and all signs show he is in good form. With the Danish season starting in March, he may just have enough time to show his skills and grab one of the final spots to China. 

Forward

Jozy Altidore – The 18-year old budding star is all but a lock to start in Beijing. His goal for the senior National Team against Mexico secured his plane ticket to the Olympic Games. 

Robbie Findley – The top scoring rookie in MLS is poised for a breakout year where he can be one of the leading scorers in MLS. He has the right combination to be a formidable attack partner with Altidore.

Charlie Davies – The Hammarby forward has had solid camps with the U-23's and is a safe bet to make the Olympic team.

Chad Barrett – Barrett is in a fight with Adam Cristman likely for the final spot on the Olympic squad. He had a career year last season with eight goals, but cannot afford poor form to start 2008. 

Adam Cristman – The US loves to play with a target forward. Altidore has the ability to play this role, but Cristman plays it in a more traditional sense and also has the skill to pass the ball well - nice traits to have for a late sub when looking to hold a lead. 

Johann Smith – The Bolton forward is healthy again and is ready to make another run at a US team. His superior speed cannot be taught, but like other players in the pool, needs first team games to prove himself worthy of inclusion. 

Wildcards

Bryan Arguez – The former DC United midfielder never played for the MLS club, but his made a debut for Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin in his first eligible match. Only 18, Arguez is a dark horse to make the squad. 

Dax McCarty – The FC Dallas midfielder is the most underrated player in this player pool. He continues to prove his critics wrong as he scores and hands out assists for club and country when he plays regularly.

Preston Zimmerman – The Hamburg forward has made solid strides, earning himself a contract bump. Zimmerman is a guy who could really move up if he can manage some first team minutes with his Bundesliga club. 

Overage

Michael Parkhurst – Jonathan Spector is a solid center back, but what he needs is a smart, technical defender to pair with. Parkhurst can be that guy to really give the US a strong central defense capable of standing on the Olympic podium. Besides, it's a potential center back combination for post-2010. 

Heath Pearce – Peter Nowak will likely use a veteran left back in Beijing. Pearce has been in the dog house at Hansa Rostock and thus hasn't seen any playing time. Here's a good chance for him to impress some European clubs so he can move on and get some first team minutes somewhere else.

Brad Guzan – Big Brad II had a monster year and was primed for a move to Premiership side Aston Villa, but was unable to land a work permit. In the last year of his MLS contract, Guzan could springboard a move here to a big payday in Europe. 

Brian Ching – A veteran guy who scores in big time spots, Ching is a prime candidate to go to Beijing if Nowak is in need of a target forward.

Landon Donovan – The captain, the US all-time scoring leader, and two time World Cup veteran has as good a resume as any US player. The summer window is crowded which has its issues, but if Donovan wants to represent the USA, he will be there.