Well, that headline is a little awkward.
But after an almost 16-month absence from Carson the U.S. Women’s National Team is back in the South Bay where they’ll put their perfect 8-0 record at Home Depot Center on the line against China.
Yes, the weather looks gloomy out there, but there are plenty of tickets available for the 6 p.m. game that is not televised.
And this is likely going to be a tight game: the U.S. and China have met twice this year and last time out the U.S. squeezed through 1-0.
Those looking forward to the Sol season should know that neither Stephanie Cox nor Aly Wagner (both injured) will play tonight, but Torrance’s Shannon Boxx will be seeking her fifth goal in five appearances at the HDC. More on Boxxy here, BTW.
(Meanwhile, U.S. midfielder Christie Rampone is closing in on a record of her own).
But one likely Sol player fans can see is Chinese striker Han Duan, who has been allocated to the team.
BTW, here’s the complete squad for China: goalkeepers 1-Zhang Yanru, 18-Weng Xiaojie; defenders 15-Zhou Gaoping, 5-Weng Xin Zhi, 2-Yuan Fan, 4-Wang Kun, 14-Liu Hua Na;
midfielders 3-Zhang Ying, 19-Gao Yan, 12-Wang Dan Dan, 17-Gu Ya Sha, 6-Zhang Na, 7-Bi Yan, 16-Zhang Rui; forwards 8-Xu Yuan, 10-Liu Sa, 9-Han Duan, 11-Lou Jiahui.
Also missing for the U.S. tonight: Natasha Kai (illness) and UCLA striker Lauren Cheney, who is taking time off after a long college season.
Trojan Amy Rodriguez is in the squad though, as is evergreen veteran Kristine Lilly, 37, who has 340 caps (no-one in the world has more) and 129 goals (second most in the world).
And while there is no TV coverage, I’ll blog from the game tonight so join me back here for updates.
