July 25, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina sophomore goalkeeper Mike Gustavson (Aiken, S.C./South Aiken) has been selected to the United States Under-20 team’s 17-player roster for the 2006 Milk Cup, coach Thomas Rongen announced on Monday. The Milk Cup runs July 31-August 4 in Northern Ireland. Gustavson is one of two goalies and 10 collegiate players named to the squad.
“We’re really pleased and proud for Mike to have this opportunity,” Gamecock head coach Mark Berson said. “He’s had a good summer training and it’s always a thrill to see University of South Carolina players perform well on our national teams.”
The U.S. team departs for the tournament on Thursday, July 27, and will participate in a few days of training before its opening match against Wales on Monday, July 31. The U.S. will take on Demark on Wednesday, Aug. 2, and finish the tournament with a placement match on Friday, Aug. 4. The other group consists of Northern Ireland, Paraguay and Turkey.
Gustavson’s involvement with the national team began in March when he was invited to a training camp in Florida and continued when he competed with the U-20 team in a pair of matches in Canada earlier this month. The 2005 Conference USA Freshman of the Year earned his first international start between the pipes on July 7 against Canada in Toronto, a match the U.S. won, 2-1.
Gustavson shared some of his thoughts about national team experience , the upcoming trip to Ireland and the Gamecocks’ 2006 season with USCsports.com:
On starting his first International game against Canada in Toronto on July 7:
“I was definitely excited. I wasn’t nervous because I’ve never really been nervous been playing soccer. There were a lot more people watching that what I was used to. The crowd was yelling and screaming while we were getting ready for the game. You’re warming up on the big screen. It’s an even higher level, and I was really ready to get the chance. It was an awesome experience, a lot of fun.”
On the upcoming trip to Ireland for the Milk Cup:
“We leave on Thursday (July 27). I’ve been to training camp and a smaller event like the one in Canada, but this is the first big event I’ve been to. I’m really excited. This is the farthest I’ve ever been from home. This puts you up against the top players in this age group.”
On what he can take from his national team experience and bring back to South Carolina:
“I think playing with the national team helps your mindset. It helps you be confident in any situation. The coaches have been around a long time, and coached some of the best players and against some of the best players.”
On returning to South Carolina’s preseason training on August 8:
“I’m ready to get started. I’m excited about the new players that are coming in and the players we have coming back. I’m ready to see what we can accomplish after winning the conference championship last year. We’ll see if we can do it again and go farther in the NCAA Tournament. I’m excited to see what happens.”
