Independence midfielder seeks encore

Midfielder Lori Lindsey is looking to carry over her strong play with the U.S. national soccer team into the inaugural year of the Philadelphia Independence.

Lindsey, who turns 30 later this month, had just one previous cap with the national team before being selected for the Algarve Cup in Portugal. The United States won the cup Wednesday with a 3-2 victory over Germany in the championship game.

Lindsey played in all four games for the United States, starting twice. She had a team high of three assists; no other member had more than one.

While a little fatigued, Lindsey is ready to prepare for the Women's Professional Soccer season, which begins for the Independence on April 11 when they host the Atlanta Beat at West Chester University.

The Independence, who are training at the United Sports complex in Downingtown, began camp March 1, but players such as Lindsey and fellow national team members Heather Mitts and Amy Rodriguez didn't report until yesterday.

Another big name to report yesterday was highly touted midfielder Caroline Seger, who played for Sweden in the Algarve Cup.

"We've had the last few days off, but I am anxious to get into it," Lindsey said.

She didn't know before the Algarve Cup began how much playing time she would have, but Lindsey wanted to make her minutes count.

"I was able to get myself in good areas," she said. "I tried to make an impact whether starting or coming off the bench."

Lindsey played last season for Washington of WPS. She appeared in 19 games, making 18 starts and totaling two goals and one assist.

Since then, her game has continued to improve.

"In the Algarve Cup, she created a lot," Independence coach Paul Riley said. "She is very clever around the ball and can play the million-dollar ball or the five-dollar ball."

Either way, she is expected to be a money player for the Independence.

Notes. With the majority of starters not available because of the Algarve Cup and Cyprus Cup, the Independence lost a scrimmage to Rutgers, 2-1, on Saturday. "This was good to evaluate and helps us with roster decisions," Riley said. . . . Teams are allowed no more than 28 players in camp, and rosters must be cut to 24 by Monday. . . . The Independence will host the University of North Carolina at the United Sports complex in a scrimmage at 3 p.m. March 20.