Olympics-Nine gold medal winners in U.S women's soccer squad

CHICAGO, June 23 (Reuters) - Nine players from the United States gold medal winning women's soccer team from four years ago have made the 18-strong squad for the Beijing Games, coach Pia Sundhage announced on Monday.

Co-captains Christie Rampone and Kate Markgraf will both be participating in their third Olympic Games while striker Abby Wambach, who grabbed the winning goal in extra-time in the Athens Olympic final against Brazil, is also included.

Swedish coach Sundhage took over the U.S team at the end of last year and has run her eye over 46 players in training camps and 26 in 18 international games.

"She has done an amazing job with this team and in the way we have changed the system to make us a more possession-oriented team," said Rampone.

The U.S will open their campaign against Norway on Aug. 6 before taking on Japan and New Zealand in Group G.

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart, Hope Solo.

Defenders: Rachel Buehler, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone.

Midfielders: Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Angela Hucles, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Lindsay Tarpley, Aly Wagner.

Forwards: Natasha Kai, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach.