Nine Players Identified at Philadelphia’s Women’s Pro Soccer Combine

The Philadelphia Independence held open tryouts this week and watched some of the top talent from around the country compete to earn a spot on the 2010 Independence roster. Nearly fifty players attended the two-day combine and participated in a series of high intensity sessions run by Head Coach, Paul Riley, to attempt to prove they can make an impact for the Independence next season.

Unlike typical team tryouts, Paul took a unique approach by having the players participate in actual training sessions instead of just competing in scrimmages. “We approached our combine with a different perspective” said Paul of his tryout methodology. “We felt it was important to see the players in both a training capacity and game environment. We wanted to see the technical ability of the players and their ability to think quickly in tight situations. We also wanted to meet, communicate and deal with the players in a competitive, robust training regimen where you can see how players react to our voices and the needs of their training group.”

Many of the top women’s soccer programs in the nation were represented at the tryout, and the overall caliber of play reflected the pool of talent that was present. “We were very happy with what we saw at the tryouts” said General Manager, Terry Foley. “We identified six field players and three goalkeepers at the open tryout who we believe have the potential to compete in the WPS next season.” Foley was especially pleased that several players selected at the tryout are Philadelphia locals. “Philly is a rich soccer community and we hope to provide local talent the opportunity to achieve the highest level of soccer success. It is very promising to have local players make the first cut, it would be great to see those players representing Philly in the WPS.”

The nine players who have been identified by the coaching staff will participate in Select Tryouts on January 25-26, which will be the final opportunity to make the preseason cut. Paul is delighted with results of the two days. “The open tryouts were very successful. The combine player quality was refreshing and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing some very good talent. We are hopeful that a few of our selections can move on to represent the Independence in the WPS in our inaugural season.”

Stay tuned for more player news, selections, and the upcoming WPS draft in January!

Independence Announces Upcoming Tryout for Prospective Players on December 8-9 at United Sports, Downingtown, PA

The Philadelphia Independence Women’s Professional Soccer team announced today that open tryouts will be held for prospective players on December 8-9. The two-day combine will take place at the Official Training Home of the Independence, United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA, and will give players the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of Independence Head Coach, Paul Riley.

Before the inaugural WPS Draft last year, Women’s Professional Soccer held an official league combine where all the WPS coaches were able to watch prospective players compete at one time. This year, the league is not holding a prospective player combine, so the Independence is hosting the event to give players the chance to prove they have what it takes to compete in Philadelphia at the highest level of women’s soccer. The event allows the Independence coaches to examine potential picks before January’s WPS Draft, while also giving free agents or players who were not picked in last year’s draft the opportunity to earn a spot on the Independence roster. Regardless of a player’s current status, they are invited to the Official Training Home of the Independence to compete in the event.

Team General Manager Terry Foley believes that the tryout is a great opportunity for both the Independence and potential players. “As an expansion team in the league, it is important for us to use every avenue available to bring in top talent, so we knew hosting a tryout was crucial. We are hoping to see a lot of great players come out and prove themselves at this combine. I think every team is looking for that one player that could make the difference next year in the WPS, and I’m hoping that’s the type of player we will identify during the two-day showcase.”

Over the course of the tryout, players will participate in tactical and technical training sessions and compete in a series of small sided and full field games. Sessions will be run by Head Coach Paul Riley, who will select the camp’s top performers to compete in an All-Star match at the end of the two days. The tryout is open to any player that completes the online registration and is at least age 18 as of March 1, 2010. Interested players are required to pay a fee of $100 and must complete the online registration at https://independencetix.ticketleap.com/open-tryouts/.

Cost to Register: $100

Dates: December 8th-9th
*Players must arrive at United Sports Training Center by 12pm on Dec. 8 and tryouts will be concluded by 6:30pm on Dec. 9

Directions to United Sports Training Center:
http://www.unitedsports.net/directions

Hotel Suggestions:
Crowne Plaza/Fairfield Inn
www.cpvalleyforge.com/location.asp
(610) 908-6044

Dolce Hotel
www.dolce-valley-forge-hotel.com
(484) 684-1484

Sheraton Great Valley
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=867
(610) 280-2091

The Inn at Chester Springs
http://www.innatchestersprings.com/
(484) 879-2505

Draft Registration:
In order to be eligible to play in Women’s Professional Soccer in 2010, all prospective players must register with the league and make themselves eligible for the 2010 WPS draft by January 12, 2010. Players who are not draft-eligible on January 15 will not be eligible to make a WPS roster for the 2010 season.

WPS Draft Registration can be found at http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/players/interested-player.aspx.

Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill College Hosts June 23-25 Independence Tryouts In Advance of August WPS Player Drafts

PHILADELPHIA (June 10, 2009)  The Philadelphia Independence (Philadelphia Women’s Pro Soccer LLC) is pleased to announce a unique opportunity for 32 local female soccer players hoping to play for the Independence in next year’s Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league.  In a show of its commitment to the fans to build a team that represents the tradition and work ethic of Philadelphia and its surrounding communities, the Independence will run a mini-camp in hopes of finding its first player to be signed.  This event will complement the WPS expansion draft and international draft in August, and the WPS college draft in January – at which the Independence has first pick.  From this series of player selections, the Independence will build its roster.

“The WPS has the absolute best female soccer players in the world,” says Coach Matt Driver, “and I know that this talent-rich Delaware Valley region has quality, world-class players right here amongst us who deserve a shot at the big leagues….I see them in the Independence minor league programs.  If we sign our first player from this mini-camp, that’s a super story of a local kid making good; if we don’t see the play we are hoping for, it will be a fun event for the players and coaches nonetheless.”  Newly-selected team General Manager Terry Foley added, “Since launching this franchise, we have focused the organization on bringing the best female athletes in the world to the Independence, and on serving this city’s communities through a grass-roots partnership.  What better demonstration of that grass-roots commitment than to open our roster to local players that have a history in these schools, neighborhoods, and soccer clubs.”

The Independence is proud to have this training camp hosted by Philadelphia’s own Chestnut Hill College.  The College’s impressive academic, sports, and student facilities will be home to the players from June 23-25, as they attempt to impress the Independence coaches enough to get a developmental player contract for the 2010 WPS season.  The mini-camp will begin with check-in on Tuesday, June 23^rd, 8:30-9:00AM at the College’s Fitzsimmons Hall.  Training sessions and scrimmages will go until Thursday, culminating in evening games to showcase the talents of the 32 player participants.

A unique feature of the mini-camp is the fact that the Independence organization, in partnership with Chestnut Hill College, is covering all costs for the participants.  The 32 players will need only to provide their own travel to and from the area.  Unlike most other combines and team tryouts, this arrangement is intended to make certain training camp costs do not prevent a talented player from pursuing the dream of playing women’s professional soccer.

As an expansion franchise starting play in the spring of 2010, the Philadelphia Independence is permitted under WPS league rules to hold this camp in order to exercise its option to obtain pre-draft rights for up to two domestic players.  Within the mini-camp rules, participants must have played youth, high school, college, or adult soccer in this Delaware Valley region. Players must also have been on the previous draft board and must not have their rights held by any other WPS team.  If selected, the player(s) are guaranteed a development contract on the Independence 2010 roster.  Top talent already signed up to attend the mini-camp are several Philadelphia Independence youth development/WPSL minor league players, such as:  Tara Davies, Penn State; Mandy Moraca, UNC; Kelly Rowland, Florida State University; and Dani Collins, College of William and Mary.

“I love the idea of this training camp!” said Independence Assistant Coach and Olympian Staci Wilson. “It will allow the determination and persistence of a local female to elevate herself in pursuit of her dream to play professional soccer. There will be no agents, no international players, and no politics in a setting like this. Everyone gets a fair look. Skill and work ethic will be thoroughly evaluated, allowing us to pick players who have the tenacious attitude and confidence that will be the stamp of the Philadelphia Independence.”

Team President/CEO David Halstead added, “The Independence has an exciting few months ahead.  The mini-camp may provide this team’s first player, then we will be unveiling our team logo right around Independence Day and our club affiliation program shortly thereafter.  Then in August, we begin the much-anticipated player draft and selection process.  Finally, on the heels of all that action, we launch our ticketing program and kid’s membership program in early-September.  Luckily, we’ve got a great staff that will ensure we deliver the best players and the best fan experiences possible.”

The Independence has gotten off to a terrific start with tremendous support from those buying season tickets as well as community and fan groups such as Daughters of Betsy.  If you have not yet reserved your Independence season tickets, or signed up for our monthly newsletter – The Independence Insider – visit our website to sign up and to see what else is going on:  www.wpsphillyindependence.com.

Independence Mini-Camp Event Information

• June 23-24-25, 2009
• Event registration June 23^rd at 8:30-9:00AM, Fitzsimmons Hall, Chestnut Hill College
• Key Event:  June 25^th Scrimmage 5-8PM, Chesnut Hill College Athletic Field
• Press/Spectators:  Parking at lower lot near tennis courts (Brennen Drive)
• Chestnut Hill College, 9601 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA. 19118
• Media inquiries to Sherry Amos, sherry@sherryamos.com 856-415-2029
• Non-media requests, general information, and sign-up, contact General Manager Terry Foley at terry.foley@wpsphillyindependence.com.

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

The mission of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is to be the premier women’s soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women’s professional sports are measured.  Play kicked off on March 29, 2009, with WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.  The league’s eighth franchise, Philadelphia, will begin play next season with Atlanta expected to join as the ninth team in 2010, as well. For more information, visit www.womensprosoccer.com.