Frisco, TX -- (Sports Network) - FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty was added to the U.S. men's Olympic team Thursday to replace injured midfielder Nathan Sturgis.

The 21-year-old McCarty, who was announced as an alternate last week, will join the Olympic team for training in Palo Alto, Calif. today. The men's tournament at the 2008 Olympic Games in China begins Aug. 7.

"I've always thought that the Olympics were one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and like many kids, I dreamt of one day playing in such a tournament," McCarty said. "Its obviously not the ideal way to be called up - you never wish injury upon anyone. But it is still an honor.

"The initial shock of learning that I will be an Olympian was unbelievable. Its an honor, and I was speechless when I found out. I just want to help the team out anyway possible and hopefully help us win a medal."

The Olympic Team will travel to Hong Kong on Friday for the ING Cup, facing fellow Olympic participants Ivory Coast on July 30 and Cameroon on Aug. 2 in the final two matches before the start of the Olympic Games.

In March 2008, McCarty helped the U.S. team qualify for the Olympics by playing in four of the five 2008 CONCACAF Mens Olympic Qualifying tournament games, in which the U.S. finished second behind Honduras. Following the tournament, the CONCACAF Technical Study Group selected McCarty to the 2008 CONCACAF Mens Olympic Qualification All-Tournament team.

The U.S. has been drawn into a difficult Group B of the Olympic Games and will open against Japan on Aug. 7 before facing the Netherlands on Aug. 10, with both games taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin. The team will then travel to Workers Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on Aug. 13.

McCarty has appeared in 11 games for FC Dallas this season, registering one assist.