The U.S. women’s national team will open its 1998 schedule by facing Sweden, China and Norway in the Guangzhou International Women’s Torunament Jan. 18-24 in Guangzhou, China. “This is our first opportunity since the Nike Victory Tour (in May) that we’ve had our top players together, both from the collegiate ranks as well as our veterans,” said U.S. head coach Tony DiCicco. “It’s important for us to do well in this tournament, not only because of the top competition, but because we’re looking for a consistency in our game that we weren’t able to attain during the Germany tour in October or the Brazil tour in December.” In preparation, DiCicco has called in 24 players for a training camp beginning Jan. 7 in Chula Vista, Calif. He will pick an 18-woman squad before the team departs for China on Jan. 12. Here is the roster for the training camp: Goalkeepers — Lakeysia Beene (Gold River, Calif.), Tracy Ducar (N. Andover, Mass.), Jen Mead (Raynham, Mass.), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.) Defenders — Brandi Chastain (San Jose, Calif.), Lorrie Fair (Los Altos, Calif.), Joy Fawcett (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Carla Overbeck (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Christie Pearce (Point Pleasant, N.J.), Kate Sobrero (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Sara Whalen (Greenlawn, N.Y.). Midfielders — Michelle Akers (Oviedo, Fla.), Justi Baumgardt (Federal Way, Wash.), Julie Foudy (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Kristine Lilly (Wilton, Conn.), Shannon MacMillan (Escondido, Calif.), Tiffany Roberts (San Ramon, Calif.), Laurie Schwoy (Baltimore, Md.)*, Tisha Venturini (Modesto, Calif.). *-Schwoy is still bothered by an injured hamstring and has been replaced in camp by her North Carolina teammate Rebekah McDowell. Forwards — Robin Confer (Clearwater, Fla.), Mia Hamm (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Debbie Keller (Naperville, Ill.), Tiffeny Milbrett (Portland, Ore.), Cindy Parlow (Memphis, Tenn.).