Independence focused on Women's Professional Soccer draft, not league's troubles

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When Women's Professional Soccer was granted sanctioning for 2012 by the U.S. Soccer Federation last month, it seemed like the league had escaped the worst storm of another tumultuous offseason.

But as WPS convenes for its annual draft Friday, the league might not be on safe ground.

On Monday, a Florida judge ruled that controversial former magicJack SC owner Dan Borislow was denied due process when the league terminated his Boca Raton, Fla.-based franchise after the 2011 season. If Borislow is reinstated, the court case could cause the league to fracture once and for all.

For now, though, Independence owner David Halstead isn't worried.

"Honestly, I'm not thinking about it that much," he said. "I don't want anything to disrupt the momentum and the exciting things we have going on."

One of the things Halstead is excited about is moving some Independence home games from Widener University to PPL Park in Chester. The Independence played their playoff game there last season and greatly enjoyed the experience.

Halstead said that Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz "has been fantastic at providing the stadium to us under very reasonable terms."

"I think that will result in the Independence playing multiple times at PPL Park," he said.

Halstead added that he expects the 2012 schedule to be released in two to three weeks, with an announcement about the home opener in as soon as 10 days.

Friday, the Independence will seek to bolster a squad that made last year's WPS title game with reinforcements from the college ranks.

The Independence have six picks in the four-round draft. Coach Paul Riley has said his focus is on forwards and goalkeepers, since star forward Amy Rodriguez and goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart are likely to be on the U.S. Olympic squad this summer.