Aug. 7, 2006

Bloomington, Ind. - Sophomore midfielder Brad Ring and freshman back Ofori Sarkodie helped lead the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team to second place at the 2006 Milk Cup in Coleraine, Northern Ireland on Aug. 4. The team fell 2-0 to Paraguay in the title game of the elite group.

Both Ring and Sarkodie started for the U.S. against Paraguay, with Ring tallying one shot for the U.S.

The U.S. reached the final game with a 3-0 win over Wales on July 31, and a 2-2 draw with Denmark on Aug. 2. Ring started in all three games, while Sarkodie played against Wales and Paraguay.

The Milk Cup began in 1983 and added the elite group, an invitation-only tournament, in 1995. The tournament routinely includes some of the best national youth teams as well as English Premier League squads such as Manchester United, Rangers, Newcastle United and Everton.

Ring, who was a Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection last season, will look to start for the Hoosiers in 2006. Sarkodie enrolled at Indiana in January and participated during the spring season.

The Hoosiers, ranked No. 13 in the College Soccer News preseason top-30 poll, begin the year on Aug. 15 with an exhibition game against Illinois-Chicago in Ft. Wayne, Ind. as part of the IFPW Soccer Showcase. The team will also play defending national champion Maryland on Aug. 18 at the Showcase.