Former UW-Milwaukee Soccer Standout Sanneh Added To U.S. National Team Roster

June 27, 2005

Former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee soccer standout Tony Sanneh will be a part of the U.S. Men's National Team during the upcoming 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.


Sanneh, who has made 41 previous appearances with the national team, is one of 23 players selected for next month's event by manager Bruce Arena.


Sanneh was one of the stars of the U.S. side during the 2002 World Cup, when the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals. He has battled injuries in recent seasons, limiting his time with the national squad, but has returned to full health while playing for the Chicago Fire in MLS.


The St. Paul, Minn., native was UWM's all-time leading goal scorer until Antou Jallow moved past him during the 2004 season. He still holds school career records for assists (32) and points (138) and was an All-America honoree during his time with the Panthers. Since leaving the school, Sanneh has played for DC United and the Chicago Fire in MLS and for Hertha Berlin and FC Nurnberg in the German Bundesliga. Sanneh made his first appearance with the U.S. National Team in 2000 and has scored three goals in his 41 appearances, earning starting honors during the2002 World Cup.


The Gold Cup is the regional championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The 12-team tournament runs from July 6-24 in six cities across the United States. The U.S. will compete in Group B along with Canada, Costa Rica and Cuba, opening the tournament July 7 against Cuba at Qwest Field in Seattle.


The team began to assemble this weekend in Portland, Ore., and will train at Nike World Headquarters. The group will move to Seattle on July 3.


"This is a great opportunity to further the continuity of our group, and to get a chance to look at players in meaningful matches," Arena told ussoccer.com. "We have a blend of experience and some new faces, and these games will be very important in terms of formulating our roster for the rest of qualifying. We are certainly entering the tournament with the goal of winning the competition."


The U.S. finished third in the 2003 Gold Cup.