2006 U.S. Men's Lacrosse Team Named

BALTIMORE —US Lacrosse has announced the 23 players that will represent the United States in the 2006 International Lacrosse Federation World Championship. A 24-person player selection committee named the 2006 U.S. Men’s Team after a four-day tryout at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County that concluded today. A record number of 18 teams will head to Canada for the ILF Championship in July 2006 in London, Ontario. The U.S. has won eight of the nine ILF world championships contested, including six straight.

Also following the tryout, a four-person selection committee named the four officials that will represent the United States in the tournament: Mike Infantino (Burlington, Conn.), Matt Palumb (S. Deerfield, Mass.), Dave Pinciaro (Beverly, Mass.) and Tom Sutton (Eden, N.Y.).

The U.S. roster includes 10 former U.S. Team players—seven players from the 2002 U.S. Team that won the world championship in Australia and three players from the 1998 U.S. Team that won the title in Baltimore. Twenty-one of the 23 players selected are on Major League Lacrosse rosters.

"(The biggest strength is) the ability of the players to get up and down the field," said Desko. "So many of them are so versatile. Two or three of the attackmen can probably play midfield to give us more depth there. With this many talented players, the trick will be somewhat chemistry and getting to play as a team."