US Under-23 boss Piotr Nowak will get the first chance to oversee much of his player pool for 2008 Olympic qualifying when 22 players meet up for a Home Depot Center camp on Saturday.

The assembled youth international will train for a week before jetting off to China for friendlies against their China counterparts on December 13th in Changsa and the 16th in Guangzhou.

With European leagues still in full swing, only Hammarby’s Charlie Davies and Sal Zizzo of Hannover 96 will fly in from abroad for the camp. Highlighting the selection of 18 MLS players are seven youngsters already capped at the senior level, including New York striker Josmer Altidore, MLS Rookie of the Year Maurice Edu of Toronto FC and Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

Only Clearwater Chargers netminder Zac MacMath and Furman defender Jon Leathers will take part from outside the professional ranks.

"This is an excellent opportunity to begin preparing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing," Nowak told ussoccer.com.

"As we have seen in the past, the possibility of getting to travel and play in the host country before a tournament is especially valuable, so we are going to take full advantage of it."

US Under-23 camp roster
Keepers - Zac MacMath (Clearwater Chargers), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders - Hunter Freeman (NY Red Bulls), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Jon Leathers (Furman University), Mike Randolph (LA Galaxy), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

Midfielders - Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Michael Harrington (KC Wizards), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas)

Forwards - Josmer Altidore (NY Red Bulls), Adam Cristman (New England Revolution), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)