U.S. Head Coach PETER NOWAK

On how the team is gelling:
“I think the most important thing is that we have a couple of different groups of players. We have guys who play in Europe and the guys who play in MLS. Now we have to figure out how to bring those two groups together – they’re at different stages right now and we have to get them to the same place.”

On previous comments that team spirit is important to him:
“The team’s spirit is a very important factor, as important as the X’s and O’s. We want to make sure these guys will fight for each other, understand each other and stick together as friends. Regardless of how these two games in Hong Kong go, they need to stay focused and concentrated. We showed a lot of team spirit during Qualifying and that was one of the strengths in our game then. You want to have a group of players that can create something special.”

On who he feels is the most difficult game in Group B of the Olympics:
“Our group, in my opinion and in talking with other coaches from around the world, is the strongest one in this tournament. The Dutch won the (Under-21) European Championship, Japan has been one of the top teams in Asia for many years and the team from Nigeria calls themselves the ‘Dream Team'. Right now our focus is the first game against Japan. After that our focus will be the game against the Netherlands and then Nigeria. We’re just going to go from game to game”.

On the weather conditions:
“The conditions could definitely play a role in the tournament, but we are as prepared as possible. I have talked to (former National Team coach) Bruce Arena and my friends who coached Germany and Poland about their experience in the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan and tried to gather as much information as we could about the weather conditions. We have tried to prepare in every possible way for the Games.”



U.S. Midfielder and Captain MICHAEL BRADLEY

On what Brian McBride brings to the team:
“I think having Brian will certainly help us. He’s a player with a lot of experience who has played in three World Cups and in the Premiership. We do have a young team and to be able to have a player like him, for his experience on the field and off, is something that will really help us. We have a lot of players who have played with the (senior) National Team and the experience of those players will also help. Playing in Europe, playing in World Cups at the youth level definitely gives us confidence, and makes us excited.”

On how he’s stayed fit during his club team’s offseason:
“After my season ended with Heerenveen, we had three friendly matches with the (full) National Team, and we also had two World Cup Qualifiers and I was involved in those matches. After that period of time I was able to have a rest. After a long season it was good to have a little bit of time for my body to recover. Since then I’ve been training and working to keep myself fit. Since we’ve come together as an Olympic Team the training has been very good, so the most important thing is to build ourselves up and make sure that we’re peaking at the right time. When the Olympic Games begin we want to make sure everyone is mentally and physically at their best. As long as we continue to train hard every day I’ll think we’ll be there when the Games come around”


U.S. forward FREDDY ADU

On how he is enjoying Hong Kong so far:
“It’s a beautiful place. This is my first time here and I’m really enjoying myself. We just got in last night, but driving in from the airport we saw all the buildings and came over the bridge. It’s beautiful here. It’s a great place to have a tournament. There is just an aura about this place. We feel good, people are treating us well.”

On how he feels heading into the Olympics:
“In our country, the Olympics are so big and everyone will be watching. We just want to go out there and make our country proud of us. We’re excited to be here and we know we have a hard road ahead of us but I think we have a chance to do well.”

On being drawn into a difficult Group B of the Olympics:
“It’s definitely a tough group. A lot of people aren’t giving us much of a chance to get out of the group but I think we have the team to get out. I think we can do very well and maybe surprise some people there. I think we have a chance to medal if we go out there and play our game.”


U.S. forward BRIAN MCBRIDE

On being in Hong Kong:
“We’ve been here for the better part of a day now and it’s been good so far. This is my third trip to Hong Kong and it’s a wonderful city. I enjoy coming here and I’m very glad to be back.”

On playing in his first Olympics after playing in three FIFA World Cups:
“It feels great. I’m really excited to be a part of it. We have a very good team with some very good players. I hope I can be a leader on this team and I hope I can have a positive influence. We have a group that is very talented and for the most part I’m just here to be part of the team.”

On what he's seen from the team so far:
“I do like what I have seen so far from the team. We have a strong group of players who are all very talented. They’re making me feel much younger than I am and I’m excited to be a part of this good young group.”

On his expectations for the U.S. at the Olympics:
“I think we expect to play well, and by doing that we want to get out of our group. That’s the mentality that we need to have going in. After that, anything can happen and we just hope to play our game. We have a talented group and the rest will take care of itself.”