Updated at 10:20 a.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2007
U.S. women's World Cup roster named; Kai not on it
Associated Press
CHICAGO — Forward Kristine Lilly and goalie Brianna Scurry were among 18 players chosen today to play for the U.S. women's national team in the Women's World Cup that begins in two months.Coach Greg Ryan will select the final three players in the next few weeks to complete the 21-player squad. The World Cup will be held in five Chinese cities from Sept. 10-30.
The Americans open against North Korea on Sept. 11 in Chengdu.
Lilly, 35, made the World Cup team for a record fifth time. She is the only player still active from the U.S. team that won the inaugural Women's World Cup in 1991.
Scurry will be playing on her fourth World Cup team. Defenders Kate Markgraf and Christie Rampone made the team for the third time.
"We named the 18 now because we've been in Residency Camp two years in a row; we've spent two years together; and we know these players inside out," said Ryan, who will be coaching in his first Women's World Cup. "We want to remove the stress from trying out and just say 'you guys are the ones; you're in, let's get after it.' "
Ten players will be participating in their first World Cup.
Also selected were goalie Nicole Barnhart, Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny, Marci Jobson, Tina Ellertson, Carli Lloyd, Stephanie Lopez, Heather O'Reilly, Leslie Osborne, Hope Solo, Lindsay Tarpley, Aly Wagner, Abby Wambach and Cat Whitehill.
