Jan. 11, 2002

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Senior defender Danielle Slaton, a 2000 Olympic silver medalist, and junior Aly Wagner have been named to the 18-player roster that was announced by U.S. Soccer head coach April Heinrichs. The team U.S. National Team will compete this Saturday against Mexico at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. The game will air at 4 p.m. Pacific Time on ESPN2.

Slaton and Wagner made the cut from the 24-player roster, along with former Bronco Brandi Chastain. The duo, fresh off the 2001 National Championship, are two of five collegians that will suit up for their country in the first match on the National Team's 2002 schedule.

A fourth Bronco, former midfielder Lisa Nañez, now of the WUSA Champion San Jose CyberRays, will lead the Mexican National Team.

The U.S. Women's National Team's clash with Mexico will be just the beginning of a three-week trek that will take the team across the world to China, where they will face Norway, Germany and China in the Four Nations Women's Tournament taking place in Guangzhou on January 23, 25 and 27, 2002. The team began training in South Carolina earlier this week, where they will remain until Jan. 16 before they depart for China. The 24-player training camp roster was announced in December, and included a strong mix of international veterans and up-and-coming stars.