World Cup high five for Lilly

Kristine Lilly, who was playing for the United States national team when some of her teammates were in nursery school, made a record fifth World Cup soccer roster yesterday when the first 18 players were named for the September tournament in China.

"I can't imagine having the team without her," said coach Greg Ryan, whose squad will try to reclaim its crown after winning the bronze medal on home soil in 2003. "She's been the cornerstone."

Besides Lilly, the "Queen of Caps" who has played in more international matches (327) than any other player of either gender in the world, the US squad includes goalie Briana Scurry (making her fourth appearance), defenders Kate Markgraf (third) and Christie Rampone (third), plus Cup veterans Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx ,Cat Whitehill, and Aly Wagner.

"We've spent two years together and we know these players inside out," said Ryan, whose squad meets Norway in a friendly match Saturday night at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. "These 18 have earned the right to be on this World Cup team. 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.' "

Although the group includes 10 players making their Cup debut, it's far from inexperienced. Ten played on the Olympic gold-medal team in Athens three summers ago, and the average age is 27. The eight Cup veterans have more than 1,100 caps among them. The youngest player and sole amateur is 21-year-old defender Stephanie Lopez from the University of Portland.

Lilly, the only holdover from the 1991 team that won the inaugural Cup, was 20 when she played in that tournament, which also was held in China. "In 1991, I didn't know what I was a part of," recalled the 35-year-old Lilly, who since has played every Cup match for the US, starting all but one. "To think I've made it five times is hard to believe."

Unlike the men's roster for last summer's tournament in Germany, where coach Bruce Arena didn't decide on his final four choices until two days before the announcement, the women's selection was uncomplicated. "The 'A' team was easy," said Ryan, who's expected to pick the final three players by the end of the month. "It was very clear."

The Americans, who have not lost a match in regulation (35-0-7) since Ryan was named coach in March 2005, are favored to win the quadrennial tournament for the third time after being stopped in the 2003 semifinals by Germany. "There's definitely a sense of unfinished business," said Wambach.

Win or lose, Lilly won't be back for a sixth kickaround. "I can guarantee this will be my last World Cup," she said. "That's one thing I can say."

John Powers can be reached at jpowers@globe.com.