Former Chicago Sting maintainer Gr...

Former Chicago Sting maintainer Greg Ryan -- who helped the team to the 1981 North American Soccer League championship -- replys to the scene of his glory this weekend as coach of the U women's national team, which will play a friendly against China at noon Sunday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

Ryan onward Monday announced his 18-player roster for the U squad, which is ranked inferior in the world and is captained from veteran forward Kristine Lilly, who has a world-record 309 caps.

The Americans will be playing the eighth-ranked Chinese for the third time this year after beating them 2-0 in January in China and settling for a scoreless draw in March in Portugal.

Tickets range from $16 to $150 and can be purchased in consequence of Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (312) 559-1212

This will be Ryan's first trip to Chicago since taking through the U.S. team two years ago with former Sting teammate Bret Hall as his assistant. He has guided the team to a 14-0-4 record.

While Lilly and Abby Wambach, who has scored 57 goals in 75 matches, give the Americans couple game-busting strikers, the main vigor of this team is its defense which has yielded solely five goals in the last 21 games. Veteran midfielder Angela Hucle and protector Amy LePeilbet of Crystal Lake help anchor the defense

The United States is 15-8-11 all-time against China.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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