The calendar says April 1, but for the eight franchises of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), today is no joking matter, as teams must trim their respective rosters to a league mandated 22 players .18 on the active roster with four players in developmental reserve.
The announcement of the Philadelphia Independence side comes on the eve of the team’s third and final preseason game against defending Big Ten champion Penn State. More on that in a moment.
At first glance, the roster looks nothing like that of an expansion team getting ready for its inaugural season.
For starters, General Manager Terry Foley and head coach Paul Riley have put together a club rich in international team play, boasting nine National Team players from six different countries (US, Sweden, Canada, England, Iceland, and Japan). My only question is who made the scouting trip to Iceland to recruit Holmfridur Magnusdottir (pronounced,Magnus-daughter)?
In addition to putting together an attacking style team consisting of players with great intelligence, moxy, speed, and athleticism, Philadelphia also boasts a roster featuring two of the world’s top ten goalkeepers in Karina “KK” LeBlanc (pronounced LeBlon) and Val Henderson. Henderson and LeBlanc, by the way, were teammates last year with the now defunct Los Angeles Sol.
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So as it stands, Philadelphia currently has 18 players under full contract, with four lesser compensated players in developmental reserve.
Basically, if the number of rostered players on the available list falls below 18 due to injury or absence, developmental players can be used during home games or selected for away matches.
The announcement of the Philadelphia Independence side comes on the eve of the team’s third and final preseason game against defending Big Ten champion Penn State. More on that in a moment.
At first glance, the roster looks nothing like that of an expansion team getting ready for its inaugural season.
For starters, General Manager Terry Foley and head coach Paul Riley have put together a club rich in international team play, boasting nine National Team players from six different countries (US, Sweden, Canada, England, Iceland, and Japan). My only question is who made the scouting trip to Iceland to recruit Holmfridur Magnusdottir (pronounced,Magnus-daughter)?
In addition to putting together an attacking style team consisting of players with great intelligence, moxy, speed, and athleticism, Philadelphia also boasts a roster featuring two of the world’s top ten goalkeepers in Karina “KK” LeBlanc (pronounced LeBlon) and Val Henderson. Henderson and LeBlanc, by the way, were teammates last year with the now defunct Los Angeles Sol.
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So as it stands, Philadelphia currently has 18 players under full contract, with four lesser compensated players in developmental reserve.
Basically, if the number of rostered players on the available list falls below 18 due to injury or absence, developmental players can be used during home games or selected for away matches.
A developmental contract is a great opportunity for younger, less experienced players to train at the highest level and earn playing time in WPS. If a developmental player participates in 10 WPS games, they must be moved onto the roster and placed under a regular player contract.
As I mentioned earlier, the Independence will play an exhibition game tonight, 7:30, against the visiting Defending Big Ten Champion, Penn State Nittany Lions. Philadelphia will probably play without the services of forward Amy Rodriguez and midfielder Lori Lindsey, who are coming off last nights 1-0 U.S. Women’s National team win over Mexico in Sandy, Utah.
The Penn State game will be the final dress rehearsal for the expansion Independence before their historic season home opener April 11, against the expansion Atlanta Beat.
In previous exhibition action, Philadelphia posted a 3-0 victory over defending NCAA National Champion North Carolina and 0-0 draw with the Washington Freedom.
As I mentioned earlier, the Independence will play an exhibition game tonight, 7:30, against the visiting Defending Big Ten Champion, Penn State Nittany Lions. Philadelphia will probably play without the services of forward Amy Rodriguez and midfielder Lori Lindsey, who are coming off last nights 1-0 U.S. Women’s National team win over Mexico in Sandy, Utah.
The Penn State game will be the final dress rehearsal for the expansion Independence before their historic season home opener April 11, against the expansion Atlanta Beat.
In previous exhibition action, Philadelphia posted a 3-0 victory over defending NCAA National Champion North Carolina and 0-0 draw with the Washington Freedom.
Name Position College/Int'l Club
Adams, Danesha Forward UCLA
Buczkowski, Jen Midfielder Notre Dame
Falk, Allison Defender Stanford
Henderson, Val Goalkeeper UCLA
Johnson, Estelle Defender University of Kansas
Krzysik, Nikki Defender University of Virginia
Larsson, Sara Defender Linkopings FC
LeBlanc, Karina Goalkeeper University of Nebraska
Lindsay, Lori Midfielder University of Virginia
Lohman, Joanna Midfielder Penn State University
Magnusdottir, Holmfridur Midfielder Kristianstads DFF
Maruyama, Karina Forward Tepco Mareeze
Mitts, Heather Defender University of Florida
Patterson, Lyndsey Forward University of Tennessee
Rodriguez, Amy Forward USC
Sanderson, Lianne Forward Chelsea
Seger, Caroline Midfielder Linkopings FC
Senty, Sara Defender University of Virginia
Developmental Roster
Jones, Robyn Goalkeeper Franklin & Marshall
Patterson, Carrie Forward University of Georgia
Reynolds, Katherine Defender Santa Clara
DiMartino, Gina Forward Boston College
