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Independence Full Team Preseason Begins Monday, March 8

March 5, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) - Philadelphia Independence News Release


PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 5, 2010) The Philadelphia Independence professional soccer team is gearing up for its first season of play in the WPS. The preseason pool of 28 players, including key players, Heather Mitts, Amy Rodriguez, Karina Leblanc, Caroline Seger, Lori Lindsey and Lianne Sanderson will begin preseason training Monday, March 8. To officially welcome the team to the Philadelphia area, the Independence invites all media and fans to the first day of training this Monday from 3:00 to 5:00pm at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa.

There are additional opportunities scheduled during preseason for media and fans to interact with the players. Additional Meet-and-Greet fan and media sessions are scheduled from 3:00-5:00pm on Thursday, March 11, 18, 25 and April 9. Each of these Thursday afternoon dates corresponds with important milestones in the Independence preseason; the 18th is shortly after the first preseason cuts are made, reducing the roster to 24 players, March 25th follows the first preseason match, and April 9th is just two days prior to the Home Opener against Atlanta. All the sessions will be held at United Sports in Downingtown, and will give Independence supporters a chance to get to know their team on and off the field.

"One of the major things that sets this league apart from other professional sports organizations is how accessible these athletes are to the fans and how connected the whole organization is to the city" says Owner David Halstead. "These players are not only superior athletes, but are role models that kids can relate to, and they want to be involved with the youth that look up to them. Over the course of the preseason and season, we want to continue to connect with the area's soccer club affiliates and other supporters in the community, which is why we've opened up our United Sports home to the fans."

The Independence will host two exhibition games at United Sports against top college programs to help prepare for the season and will also travel to play a friendly match with fellow WPS team, Washington Freedom. The Independence will first take the field together on Saturday March 20th at 3pm against women's college soccer powerhouse University of North Carolina. A week later the Independence will travel to Washington to compete against the Freedom, who were strong contenders in last year's WPS playoff race. The final preseason game will be played at United Sports on Thursday April 1st at 7:30pm against the Penn State Nittany Lions and will be the last opportunity for the Independence to compete together before the season kickoff.

Preseason game tickets are just $10 and available on the Independence ticketing website, but the presale will be limited to 1000 fans. Regular season ticket holders will be admitted free.

Independence Preseason Schedule Highlights

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME

March 8 Players arrive and begin training United Sports 3:00 to 5:00pm

March 11 Meet-The Players and-Autograph Session United Sports 3:00pm-5:00pm

March 15 Roster trimmed from 28 to 24

March 18 Meet-The Players and Autograph Session United Sports 3:00pm-5:00pm

March 20 Game vs. UNC United Sports 3:00pm

March 25 Meet-The Players and Autograph Session United Sports 3:00pm-5:00pm

March 27 Friendly vs. Washington Freedom Washington, DC 2:00pm

March 31 Final Roster Announced (22 players)

April 1 Game vs. Penn State United Sports 7:30pm

April 9 Meet The Players and Autograph Session United Sports 3:00pm-5:00pm

April 11 Home Opener vs. Atlanta Beat West Chester University 6:00pm

Visit www.independencetix.com for preseason and regular season ticket information. For media inquires and player / coach interview request contact the Philadelphia Independence Media Correspondent, Sherry Amos at 609-703-1947. Visit the Philadelphia Independence official web site at www.wpsphillyindependence.com for continual updates and team information. For direction to preseason home games visit the United Sports web site at www.go2ustc.com .

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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