April 3, 2008

BERKELEY, Calif. - California freshman forward Alex Morgan has been selected to participate in a U.S. Under-20 National team camp April 5-12 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

"I am happy for Alex," said Cal head coach Neil McGuire. "She has worked extremely hard this spring to prepare herself for this opportunity. She is deserving of this chance, and I am hopeful she will show Coach DiCicco her value to his team."

Morgan led Cal in points (18) and goals (8) in 2007. The Diamond Bar, Calif., product tallied three game-winning goals on her way to honorable mention all-conference recognition and Pac-10 All-Freshman accolades. Morgan also was named third-team All-West by Soccer Buzz and second-team All-Freshman by Soccer America.

Morgan, who has previously played with the U.S. Under-17 National team, is one of 34 players being brought in for the U-20 camp, which will help the team continue its preparations for CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Head coach Tony DiCicco is in the process of evaluating numerous new players before he begins to narrow down the player pool.

The U.S. U-20s will play four matches during the camp as DiCicco splits his squad for a pair of matches on April 8 and April 12. On April 8, the USA will take on the W-League Pali Blues at 11 a.m., followed by a match against Loyola Marymount at 1 p.m.

On April 12, the U-20s will play Long Beach State at 11 a.m. and UCLA at 1 p.m.

The dates and venue for U-20 CONCACAF qualification have yet to be confirmed, but the tournament will likely occur in June. The 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup will feature 16 teams. Ten countries have qualified thus far. Here is the breakdown:

Asia: China, Japan, North Korea
Africa: TBD (two berths)
Europe:  England, France, Germany and Norway
CONCACAF: TBD (three  berths)
Oceania: TBD (one berth)
South  America: Brazil, Argentina
Host: Chile