Playing without five regulars left at home to rest or rehab injuries, the United States struggled to a 1-1 draw Sunday with England in the Four Nations women's soccer tournament in southern China.

The tournament is a tuneup for the World Cup in China in 7 1/2 months, and the Americans showed they can't overwhelm opponents with their second team.

The United States is rated No. 2 in the world behind Germany, and England is a distant No. 12. But it was difficult to tell which was which.

"Our young players, they gave us everything they could today," American coach Greg Ryan said. "But in fairness to them, I think England had the better of the game today."

The Americans went ahead 1-0 on Heather O'Reilly's header in the 17th minute off a pass from Natasha Kai, a former Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i athlete. But England equalized in the 47th on a strike by right back Alexandra Scott.

O'Reilly and Kai are among four or five forwards vying for spots on the World Cup team, and this game helped them. Particularly the 22-year-old O'Reilly, who could fill a third striker spot alongside absent stars Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach.

"We knew when we made this trip (that) one of the main things we were going to do was evaluate players, to see how our young players play in different environments," Ryan said.

England's Rachel Yankey, Eniola Aluko, Fara Williams and Kelly Smith continually troubled the American defense.

"To come away with a 1-1 is a good result for us," England coach Hope Powell said. "The USA is a very good side, and for us to equalize, it's a good morale booster for us."

England dropped its first game to China 2-0 on Friday, and the Americans drew 0-0 with Germany.