Califf Selected for U.S. Olympic Team
The news just keeps getting better for 20-year-old Dan Califf of Orange. In the last three months, Califf has become engaged and signed his first professional contract after being picked sixth overall in the MLS draft by his hometown team, the Galaxy. And on Friday he was one of 18 players named to the United States Olympic soccer team.
Califf, one of three Galaxy players and one of 12 Californians on the roster, was with the team at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista and unavailable for comment. Teri Califf, Dan’s mother, heard the news on Wednesday.
“It seems hard to believe we’ve got a son who’s going to be able to compete at that level,” Teri Califf said. “He’s worked really hard for this. It’s exciting to see that he’s been rewarded.”
Teri Califf said she feels like her family has been rewarded too.
“All my other four kids really grew up on a soccer field,” she said. “Most of our vacations and our life has really revolved around his soccer. So this is great for all of us.”
Califf, a big, physical defender, will leave Monday for a week-long training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with two Galaxy teammates, midfielders Sasha Victorine of Carmichael and Peter Vagenas of Pasadena. On April 21 in Hershey, Pa., the six-team, 10-day qualifying tournament begins.
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The roster:
Goalkeepers: Adin Brown (Colorado Rapids); Tim Howard (New York-New Jersey MetroStars). Defenders: Danny Califf (Galaxy); Steve Cherundolo (Hanover 96, Germany); Ramiro Corrales (New York-New Jersey MetroStars); Brian Dunseth (New England Revolution); Chad McCarty (Tampa Bay Mutiny). Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire); Joey DiGimarino (Colorado Rapids); John O’Brien (Ajax, Netherlands); Ben Olsen (D.C. United); John Thorrington (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Peter Vagenas (Galaxy); Sasha Victorine (Galaxy). Forwards: Chris Albright (D.C. United); Conor Casey (University of Portland); Landon Donovan (Leverkusen, Germany) Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire)
