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Independence coach glad to see team back in action after layoff

The Independence returns to Women's Professional Soccer action with Sunday's 4 p.m. game in Florida against magicJack, and the game couldn't come soon enough for coach Paul Riley.

The Independence returns to Women's Professional Soccer action with Sunday's 4 p.m. game in Florida against magicJack, and the game couldn't come soon enough for coach Paul Riley.

That's because his team hasn't played since opening the season with a 2-2 draw at New Jersey's Sky Blue on April 10.

The Independence was supposed to have its home opener at Widener University against magicJack on April 16, but the game was postponed due to lightning.

"The time off is always difficult, but I would rather have it now than in the middle of the season," Independence coach Paul Riley said. "I felt we were three weeks away when we opened up against Sky Blue."

Riley said the team has used the time to pay more attention to smaller details and it gave the players more time to get acclimated with each other.

"We are certainly eager to get the season going after nine weeks of beating each other up in practice," Riley said.

The Boca Raton-based magicJack (1-0) scored a 1-0 win last week over a Boston Breakers team that Riley feels has among the most talent in WPS.

The key for the Independence is stopping forward Abby Wambach, the U.S. national team standout.

According to Riley, the Independence is in good health, with the exception of defender Allison Falk, still recovering from knee surgery.