Independence looking to bolster strike force in draft

Coach Paul Riley said Thursday that the Independence would give high priority to finding another forward when Women's Professional Soccer holds its draft in Kansas City next Friday.

"Another forward from the first or second round is at the top of our agenda," said Riley, who has coached the Independence to the WPS final in their first two seasons. "We're also interested in another goalkeeper and another midfielder."

Riley made the team's draft plans known at a news conference one day after the team announced that it had re-signed forward Natasha Kai, a fan favorite. Kai led the Independence in goals last season with nine. That tied her for second place in the league.

Riley said he expected the Independence to have another strong showing in the five-team league. He also expects another great year for Kai.

"She averaged about 55 to 60 minutes a game, playing in the hardest part of the game - the first half and early second half," Riley said. "This season I hope to have her playing 80 to 85 minutes a game."

Riley credited the Independence's stability for the team's success in WPS. He noted that the Independence brought back 14 players from their first season and hope to bring back a large part of last year's roster.

He said he was not concerned that the league schedule has not been finalized even though preseason training is less than two months away.

"I've been focused on getting the team prepared for the season," said Riley, who plans to look at players from outside the country as well as some from the area in putting his squad together.

"This will be a critical year for the league," said Riley, who dreams of more teams. He mentioned Connecticut and Detroit as possible locations for new franchises.

"Hopefully, the league will have a West Coast division in the future."

The draft will be streamed live starting at 1 p.m. on www.womensprosoccer.com.

Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.