They come from different parts of the world, but teenage sensations Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu will hope to bond in time so they can spearhead the United States' campaign for a gold medal in Beijing.
And the first step will be taken at the Hong Kong Stadium tonight when they come up against Ivory Coast in the opening game of the ING Cup.
Altidore and Adu are two key components for US coach Peter Nowak, who hopes the pair, and the rest of the 18-strong team, will be able to mesh together as one fighting force in Hong Kong.
'The most important thing about the ING Cup is, it offers us the chance to blend two different groups, one from Major League Soccer and those who are playing in Europe, as one unit. This tournament is all about bonding and building team spirit,' said Nowak.
Looking ahead to the main goal, Nowak added: 'It is important we have 18 great players, as well as 18 great friends. If this happens, they will fight for each other at the Olympics.'
Altidore, 18, will be joining Spanish league runners-up Villarreal after the Olympics. He was signed last month for a US-record transfer fee of US$10 million from MLS side New York Red Bulls.
'My role will definitely be a scorer of some sort, but you have to be able to help your team in a lot of ways,' said Altidore, whose parents are from Haiti.