June 10, 2005

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands - North Carolina junior midfiedler Michael Harrington was added to the 21-man United States Under-20 FIFA World Youth Championship roster in place of Tim Ward Friday. Ward had suffered a strained hamstring during the MetroStars' match against the Kansas City Wizards on May 25, but still made the trip with the U.S. Under-20s in hopes of recovering in time for the opening match, or at least the second or third group game.

Harrington also made the trip to Holland and has been training with the team the entire time. Head coach Sigi Schmid announced the news to the team before practice, thanking Ward for his efforts and welcoming Harrington onto the roster. This will be the second time Harrington has participated in a world championship as he was also with the U.S. Under-17s in Finland in 2003.

Carolina junior goalkeeper Justin Hughes is also a member of the squad, which is competing in the tournament in Holland from June 10-July 2.