The United States and China played to a 0-0 tie Friday in their second games at the Four Nations women's tournament in Shenzhen, China.

It was a evenly played match featuring strong midfield possession by the Chinese, expert backline play by the Americans, low-pressure defense from both sides, and scarce scoring chances. The result left the Americans in first place in the annual exhibition tournament with a two-goal edge on China in goal-differential.

Sweden bounced back from Friday's 3-0 loss to the United States with a 3-1 victory over Canada in Sunday's nightcap.

The Americans created three first-half opportunities from the flanks out of a 4-5-1 formation but were unable to get solid shots from any of them.

China, also in a 4-5-1, didn't get a shot until the 34th minute — when Briana Scurry dived to stop Zhang Ying's header — and never seriously threatened after that. Scurry made six saves but wasn't troubled.

''To play China in China and get a point is a good result for us,'' said U.S. coach April Heinrichs said. ''One of the most demanding aspects of this tournament is to play less than 48 after your last game. We play a very high energy, attacking style, and when you are not allowed to fully recover, it's difficult for an American team to play with that same energy two games in a row.''

Heinrichs said she was happier with the Americans' defensive performance than in the victory over Sweden.

''I'm a big believer that a 0-0 game can be a great game,'' Heinrichs said. ''We had two teams experimenting [with new players], knowing the importance of not giving away one goal, and two teams playing in the month of January after coming off a break. It's the preseason for us, and it's very difficult to score goals in the early part of the year.''

Sweden got first-half goals from Malin Mostrom and Victoria Svensson, both on well-taken shots from outside the box, and went up, 3-0, on Therese Sjogran's 71st-minute breakaway.

Goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl made three exceptional saves but gave away a late goal to Christine Sinclair, dropping a ball at the Canadian striker's feet.

SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

Feb. 1 at Shenzhen, China

China 0 United States 0.

China — Xiao; Jin, Li, Fan, Ren; Liu (Bi, 60), Qu, Y. Zhang; O. Zhang (Ji, 60), Teng; L. Bai (Han, 70).

United States — Scurry; Markgraf, Fawcett, Reddick, Rampone (Mitts, 57); Foudy, Boxx (Osborne, 77); MacMillan (O'Reilly, 64), Tarpley (Hucles, 68), Lilly; MacMillan (O'Reilly, 64); Wambach (Roberts, 55).

Yellow cards: China — Ren 68, Fan 70.

Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden).

Att.: 5,000.

Other score

Sweden 3 (Mostrom 33, Svensson 40, Sjogran 71) Canada 1 (Sinclair 76)

Standings
W-L-T GF-GA Pts
United States 1-0-1 3-0 4
China 1-0-1 2-1 4
Sweden 1-1-0 3-4 3
Canada 0-2-0 2-5 0

Tuesday's games
United States vs. Canada, 1:15 a.m. ET
China vs. Sweden, 3:30 a.m. ET

Friday's results
United States 3 (Boxx 13, Tarpley 51, 66) Sweden 0.
China 2 (Teng 12, 52) Canada 1 (Maranda 87).