Two Red Stars named to U.S. National soccer team

U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage named her 24-player preliminary roster on Friday for a two-game playoff against Italy and two Chicago Red Stars players made the squad.

Red Stars midfielder Megan Rapinoe and goalkeeper Jillian Loyden were named to the roster as the U.S. heads to Padova, Italy, for the first leg on Nov. 20, followed by the potential qualifying clincher on Nov. 27 at Toyota Park for a berth in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The USA will leave for Italy on Sunday and will have four full days of preparation in Padova before opening the two-leg series that will be decided by aggregate goals. If the teams are tied on total goals after the two matches, away goals will count as double.

The Red Stars are holding special four-pack and group tickets offers for the Nov. 27 match. The four-pack deal includes two Red Stars scarves. For more information, contact the Red Stars at 1-708-496-9500.

From the 24-player squad, Sundhage will name 18 players to suit up for each of the two matches.

U.S. Women's National Team

Here is the U.S. roster by position:

Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Ashlyn Harris (Washington Freedom), Jillian Loyden (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders (7): Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Stephanie Cox (Boston Breakers), Ali Krieger (FFC Frankfurt), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Heather Mitts (Philadelphia Independence), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (Washington Freedom)

Midfielders (10): Yael Averbuch (Sky Blue FC), Shannon Boxx (FC Gold Pride), Tina DiMartino (Philadelphia Independence), Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Leslie Osborne (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsay Tarpley (Boston Breakers)

Forwards (4): Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (California), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence), Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)