Cameron to Represent U.S. in U-20 Qualifying Tourney

CHICAGO, Ill. -- For the sixth time this year U.S. Under-20 Men's Soccer National Team head coach Thomas Rongen has selected University of Michigan sophomore forward Knox Cameron (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman HS) as one of 18 players to represent the United States, this time at the CONCACAF Group B qualifying tournament in Charleston, S.C.

Cameron's eight goals include two game-winners.

With the tournament held at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, it marks the first time since 1980 that the United States has hosted an Under-20 qualifying tournament. The U.S. will be joined by Canada, El Salvador and Haiti as each team will face one another in head-to-head competition with the top two countries advancing to the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates from March 25 to April 16, 2003.

The U.S. squad will face Haiti in its opening match of the qualifying tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. They will then take on El Salvador on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. before squaring off with Canada on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2:30 p.m.

Cameron and the rest of the 18-member team will report to Charleston on Monday, Nov. 4. Due to the timing of the qualifying tournament Cameron will be forced to miss the Wolverines' final two regular-season matches, at Detroit (Nov. 5) and at Oakland (Oct. 9). Cameron will also miss the Big Ten Conference Tournament hosted by Penn State Nov. 14-17 in State College, Pa.

Cameron will return on Nov. 18 and be able to play if the Wolverines earn a berth into the NCAA Championship.

The sophomore has not missed a game in his two-year career as he has started 29 of 30 matches. In those 30 career games, Cameron has totaled 32 points on 13 goals and six assists. His 13 goals rank as the program's all-time mark for career tallies and he is currently one goal shy of tying the single-season mark held by fellow sophomore Mychal Turpin (University of Detroit Jesuit HS), who has nine in 2002.

In 20 games with the U-20s this year Cameron has eight points with three goals and two assists. His first goal with the national team came against the 2nd Division Mexican club side Gallos de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Michigan will not be the only team in the Big Ten which will lose a player for the Big Ten Tournament. The No. 1-ranked Indiana Hoosiers' Ned Grabavoy will join Cameron in Charleston for the U-20 qualifying tournament.

Contact: Gene Skidmore (764) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Knox Cameron

Mychal Turpin

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