The U.S. under-23 soccer team has invited Joe Corona, a midfielder for the Xoloitzcuintles, to a training camp in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., to prepare for pre-Olympic matches.

From Dec. 15-23, a total of 28 players will train under coach Caleb Porter, who will define his roster that will battle for a spot in next summer’s Olympics in London.

The pre-Olympic tournament will be March 22 to April 2. The U.S. team is in Group A, along with El Salvador, Canada and Cuba.

It’s the second time Corona, a Sweetwater High alum, will be joining the U.S. under-23 team.

The first was during Nov. 7 to 16, when he flew to Germany to join a training camp for the team. He participated in two matches against VfL Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen of the Bundesliga.

With this invitation, it’s beginning to look like Corona, 21, will opt to play for the U.S. team. His father is Mexican, his mother Salvadoran and he was born in Los Angeles, thus he can play any of the three teams.

For the time being, the midfielder is in Oxnard, with the rest of the Xolos team, where they are holding their pre-season training camp.

Alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com