The Toulon Test

It's gonna be a busy summer for the U.S. MNT program: Top-notch friendlies set against England, Spain, and Argentina; going for gold at Beijing 2008 and the first stages of qualification for South Africa 2010.

Starting everything off, though, is the Toulon Tournament in southern France, which serves as a chance for members of the U-23 player pool, like Benny Feilhaber, to raise their stock before training for Beijing begins.

With group play against Turkey (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. ET), Ivory Coast (Friday, 12:30 p.m. ET) and Italy (12 p.m. ET), the competition won't be light. Should the US advance, the other side of the bracket - including France, Chile, Japan and the Netherlands - isn't any easier.

Stay up on all the action on television at FSC and online at The YNT Blog. At the blog, be sure to check out the pics of the fresh Nike training gear and new Nike T90 Omni balls.

Here's to starting the summer off right!