With 2008 right around the corner, Olympic qualifying is only a few months away. After being thrashed by Mexico, the US were unable to qualify for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

The current crop of US players are poised not to see a repeat of those events. 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 this squad.

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 not release them.

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 European 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. We will update this listing as the Olympics approach.

U-23 Depth Chart

Goalkeepers

Chris Seitz - Barring an overage selection, the starting position in between the pipes is Seitz's job to lose.

Tally Hall - The 6'4" Esbjerg fB goalkeeper is the first in line to backup Seitz. Hall was brought into a senior camp earlier in the year, so he is clearly on Nowak's radar.

Quentin Westberg - The 2005 US Under-20 World Cup goalkeeper is in the mix to be involved at the Olympics. In order to move up, Westberg needs first team games at Troyes.

Brian Perk - The UCLA goalkeeper had a strong year, highlighted by the victory over Uruguay at the Under-20 World Cup. Perk is still very young and is even age-eligible for the 2012 Olympics.

Zac McMath - The former Under-17 goalie would seem to be young for this level, but Nowak brought him into the December camp. Whether McMath is a contender or not, his inclusion in camp has him in the current mix.

Left Back

Mike Randolph - Perhaps the player who helped his cause the most during the MLS season is Randolph. The Los Angeles Galaxy left back has launched himself up to the top player in his age group at this position.

Tim Ward - The Columbus Crew outside back is not the most defensive-minded defender, but he brings the ability to send in a quality cross into the box from the back.

Anthony Wallace - The FC Dallas rookie outperformed Ward at the U-20 World Cup, but minimal first team action has seen Wallace fall behind Ward on the depth chart.

Center Back

Jonathan Spector - The West Ham United handyman is by far the best defender in the Under-23 pool. He is the only player in this group to receive a cap for the Men's National Team. Barring injury, Spector is a lock to start in Beijing.

Nathan Sturgis - Two years ago, Sturgis filled in for an injured Spector at the U-20 World Cup. In 2008, he could line up next to him in Beijing.

Neven Subotić - Subotić has had a terrific season for 2.Bundesliga side FSV Mainz, but will he decide to play for the US? If he does, he will be in Beijing.

Patrick Ianni - The MLS champions used Ianni in rotation in the league's best defense. Not a bad year for the former Generation Adidas player.

Ofori Sarkodie - The Indiana Hoosier defender was a standout at the U-17 and U-20 level, but will he be able to make the jump to the U-23 level?

Steve Purdy - The 1860 Munich man is a big, strong defender who could pair well with some of the smaller defenders in the pool.

Right Back

Marvell Wynne - The battle for right back is going to be one of the fiercest in this squad. Wynne saw some time at Copa América, but did not play his best in that tournament. He had a solid second half of the season, but will need to impress Nowak in December's U-23 camp to hold down the top spot.

Hunter Freeman - When Freeman was healthy in 2007, he was one of the New York Red Bulls' top players. His skill on the ball could propel him above Wynne by the time the team heads to Beijing.

Tony Beltran - Injuries would be the only way he would make it to Beijing. If Freeman and Wynne are unable to go, expect Nowak to use one of the veteran spots on a right back.

Left Midfielder

Robbie Rogers - The former Heerenveen player was a standout on the U-20 side. After taking some time to adjust to MLS, he finished the season strong. His familiarity with the players in this cycle gives him the edge over Alvarez.

Arturo Alvarez - Alvarez is an exciting player with a great outside shot. The knock on him is that he is more of a direct player than someone who can cross from the wing, which may hurt his chances in the system Nowak will implement.

Michael Harrington - The versatility of the Kansas City Wizards rookie to be able to play in defense or the midfield could see make the final roster.

Corey Ashe- The Houston Dynamo super sub could be a great spark plug off the bench, but with the great quality throughout the midfield, Ashe is on the outside looking in.

Central Midfielder

Michael Bradley - The Heerenveen star is having a spectacular season, highlighted by a recent hat trick against FC Groningen to give him 10 goals on the season across all competitions. Bradley is not only a first choice starter for the U-23's, but also with the Men's National Team.

Freddy Adu - The teenage star's move to Benfica has been a tremendous success as he has assumed the super sub role there. For this team, the offense will run through the young maestro.

Maurice Edu - The MLS Rookie of the Year has come on strong with solid performances for the National Team. With his recent play, he has surpassed Feilhaber on the central midfield depth chart.

Benny Feilhaber - Lack of playing time at the club level has really hurt the Gold Cup hero. If the situation does not improve over the next couple of months, he'll have a hard time finding a starting spot in Beijing.

Sacha Kljestan - The Chivas USA playmaker had a breakout year with 4 goals and 13 assists. The former Seton Hall Pirate will play a significant role in March's qualifying tournament.

Danny Szetela - The breakout performance from the New Jersey product in the U-20 World Cup, plus his familiarity with Adu and Bradley in the midfield, may be important factors when Nowak decides on the final roster.

Right Midfielder

Eddie Gaven - The former MLS Best XI player had a solid year, matching his career total in assists. Gaven will face stiff competition, but right now he is at the top of the pack.

Stuart Holden - The Houston Dynamo midfielder had a terrific year, scoring five goals and registering five assists. He does not have the international experience of his competition, but his stellar play at the club level has him in contention for the Olympic squad.

Sal Zizzo - The Hannover 96 winger says he is playing the best soccer of his life. He'll have the opportunity to show that to Nowak in two U-23 friendlies in China this month.

Lee Nguyen - The former Indiana Hoosier is finally healthy again after a pair of lengthy injury spells. He has the tools to be a factor on this team, but needs to remain healthy to do so.

Forward

Jozy Altidore - The 18-year old budding star is all but a lock to start in Beijing.

Robbie Findley - The top scoring rookie in MLS has a combination of good speed and a solid shot which are never bad traits of a good forward. Bob Bradley thought so when he capped Findley against Switzerland.

Adam Cristman - The US loves to play with a target forward. The big New England Revolution forward is the best pure target man in the pool.

Charlie Davies - The Hammarby forward finished off his club season well with a hat trick. Davies will likely be in competition with Findley to make the squad.

Chad Barrett - A career year for Barrett as he scored eight goals, none bigger than the one he scored against DC United in the playoffs. Competition is fierce behind Altidore, so Barrett will need to raise his game a full notch to make the squad.

Johann Smith - The speedster is the fastest guy in the US pool. He is a match-up problem for most defenses, which gives him an advantage over his competition up front.

Wild Cards

Kamani Hill - Lack of playing time and now a club, Hill has stiff competition to make the squad.

Gabriel Ferrari - Ferrari has done well in Sampdoria's youth squad, but like Hill, first team minutes are needed to put himself into contention for a starting spot.

Dax McCarty - The FC Dallas midfielder had a great year in MLS and even played a role with the U-20 team in Canada. However, the quality of talent in central midfield has McCarty losing the numbers game.

Preston Zimmerman - The Hamburg forward is progressing nicely and has scored his fair share of goals this year in the reserves. He's made solid progress, but it just may be not enough time to make the team.

Overage

Michael Parkhurst - The MLS Defender of the Year would be a great option for Nowak to shore up the center of defense.

Heath Pearce - Peter Nowak will likely use a veteran left back in Beijing. Pearce would be a nice option to provide both offensive and defensive talents, and he wants to go to China.

Brad Guzan - The US usually brings a veteran goalkeeper to the Olympics. Guzan is young, but still seasoned, so he may be a guy Nowak would look at.

Taylor Twellman - The strength of the squad at forward drops after Altidore. If Nowak decides to upgrade up top, Twellman may be a player that could work well with the Red Bulls striker.

Jonathan Bornstein - If Pearce is unable to go to Beijing, Nowak will take Bornstein.