Independence have revamped for year two

After reaching the championship game in their inaugural season in Women's Professional Soccer, the Independence are looking to go a step further in this year of change.

The season gets under way Sunday, when the Independence travel to Yurcak Field at Rutgers University for a 6 p.m. matchup with Sky Blue.

"We have a lot of new players, but we still have a core of players from last year," said Independence defender Nikki Krzysik, among the team's most versatile players. "The first day of preseason felt like we picked up where we left off."

The Independence roster has been revamped, and once again so has the three-year-old league. After starting with eight teams and finishing with seven last year, WPS begins with six this time.

League champion FC Gold Pride, which beat the Independence, 4-0, in the championship game, has folded. The Chicago Red Stars suspended operations. The Washington Freedoms have moved to West Palm Beach, Fla., and are now named magicJack.

WPS did add a sixth team, the Buffalo Flash, where the league's top player, Marta, will play after leading FC Gold Pride to the league crown.

Another change for the Independence involves their venue. They will play home games at Widener University after being at West Chester in their first season.

The Independence were 10-10-4 last year and, like many of the teams, added a number of impact players.

Teams will need more depth this season. Many top players could miss several games while competing in the World Cup this summer.

Four players who have been with the U.S. national team were scheduled to have their first practice with the Independence on Saturday. They are all-WPS forward Amy Rodriguez, midfielder Lori Lindsey, and two newcomers, goalie Nicole Barnhart, a graduate of Boyertown High, who recorded a league-leading eight shutouts for FC Gold Pride, and midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who played for Chicago the previous two years.

Coach Paul Riley said another key addition is forward Tasha Kai, signed as a free agent from Sky Blue.

"I think she can be one of the better scorers in the league," Riley said.

With Lindsey and Rapinoe not around in the preseason, ther midfielders got a chance to show their ability, including holdovers Jen Buczkowski, Christina DiMartino, Joanna Lohman, and Lianne Sanderson, who can also play up top. First-round draft choice Sinead Farrelly of Virginia and Haverford High has enjoyed a strong camp, Riley said.

The defense will have more speed. What it won't have is WPS all-star Allison Falk for the first part of the season as she recovers from knee surgery.

Krzysik and Kia McNeill, acquired from Atlanta, will be the central defenders. Another former Atlanta defender, Leigh Ann Robinson, figures to man one of the outside back spots. Among the others competing for playing time in the back are Holmfridur Magnusdottir, who can also play up top, and Estelle Johnson.

Goalie Val Henderson, coming off shoulder surgery, should see extensive time.

"I think we have a lot more team speed, especially in the back, and we really needed that," Riley said.

Four of six teams will earn a playoff spot and Riley expects to again contend for a postseason berth. The season is only 18 games, compared with 24 last year, so each game has added importance. The Independence will play their home opener April 16 against magicJack.