(Jessica Hopp, The Tennessean, 03.22.08)

NASHVILLE — On the international stage, the Olympics are often viewed as the World Cup’s less prestigious brother, but for most Americans the multi-colored rings hold esteem even the Cup can’t match.

So there is great significance in getting to the games for the group of young men that qualified the United States under-23 national team for the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. The U.S. advanced by defeating Canada 3-0 on Thursday night in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament at LP Field.

“Joy, excitement, indescribable bliss,” was how defenseman Marvell Wynne reported his emotions. “This is one of the best feelings in all my life.”

By design, Olympic soccer is youth-focused, having gone to an under-23 format for the 1992 Games in Barcelona. So this will be the only shot at Olympic glory for almost the entire under-23 team.

By the 2012 Games all but two players on the 20-man qualifying roster — Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore — will be too old to return.

No one has officially secured a spot on the Olympic roster, which won’t be determined until days before the Aug. 8 start of the Beijing Games, but each of the players that took the field in Thursday’s qualifying win realizes the short shelf life of the Olympic opportunity.

And on Sunday, as the U.S. competes against Honduras in the tournament final at LP Field, their minds won’t be far removed from the future.

“(Coach Peter Nowak) has made the point that for some of us this will be our last time to play on the world stage,” midfielder Eddie Gaven said. “So I think everyone is filled with joy, a sense of accomplishment, and a sense of relief.”

At 17 Gaven was a member of the 2004 U.S. squad that lost 4-0 to Mexico in the qualifying round.

“I am very thankful to get a second chance,” Gaven said.

Although the U.S. roster may be without Olympic experience, it is not without high-level international experience.

Adu, 17, is one of the most experienced players on the U.S. team.

He is just one of two players in FIFA history to play in three under-20 World Cups (2003, 2005 and 2007) and has four total Cup appearances.