SACRAMENTO, CA (02/19/10) - The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is more than used to seeing their former stars make the jump to the professional ranks, but in the case of Paul Riley, he's another member in the line of coaches & assistants who now ply their trade at the next level - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). When the two-time WPSL Champion mentor took the coaching job for the expansion Philadelphia Independence last fall, he joined the likes of Boston's Tony DiCicco & Lisa Cole (SoccerPlus CT) and F.C. Gold Pride's Albertin Montoya (California Storm) as former WPSL coaches who took on the WPS challenge.

With the conclusion of the respective WPS Drafts & tryouts - where the Director of Coaching for the Albertson Fury Soccer Club selected the base of not only this year's Independence WPS team, but those prospects who'll compete in the WPSL East Conference for their affiliate side - he's now been able to take the opportunity to sit down and chat with WPSL Media Relations in a "10 Questions" segment. For more information on the Philadelphia Independence including 2010 schedule, visit their official website at http://www.wpsphillyindependence.com.

Q: First off, the recent folding of the WPS Los Angeles Sol was a big surprise to all in the soccer world... does this have the potential of being a "one step back, two steps forward" scenario for WPS?

A: It is always disappointing to lose any team but with two new franchises coming into the league, the WPS has strengthened its position in the marketplace. I fully expect to see the Los Angeles Sol back in business next year. For now, the league must move on and continue to improve the product on the field and the basic fan experience.

Q: Now, with the conclusion of the WPS Dispersal Draft & Independence tryouts, what's your overall opinion of your roster for your inaugural season?

A: I think we have a good squad of players combining experience, youthful exuberance and technically-gifted players. The issue for us is whether all the parts can be molded together. Most of the returning WPS teams know their core group and have seen them play in their system and be successful. I feel we have many players that want to prove themselves for a variety of different reasons: Amy Rodriquez wants to show the world her Boston form was way below her standards; Lori Lindsey - who was left unprotected by Washington - now finds herself on the full National team and with an opportunity in Philadelphia to establish herself as one of the most productive midfielders in the world; Lianne Sanderson wants to show Hope Powell (English National Team coach) that she is the top goalscorer England has and what better way than be WPS leading scorer come September? There are many others looking to make names for themselves and we all hope the Philadelphia Independence can benefit from this competitive atmosphere.

Q: With the selection of Karina LeBlanc in the Dispersal Draft, you not only get a world-class keeper, but as I remember from the WPS Draft held at the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia, a "personality" as well. Discuss the role of your players as ambassadors "off the field" as well.

A: It is essential that every player in WPS embraces their job and the fans that support them. The Independence are delighted to bring so many amazing players & personalities to Philadelphia and we feel Karina LeBlanc is one amongst many that will become firm fan favorites & superb ambassadors for our club. Personality goes a long way to driving the popularity of any professional franchise and as an expansion team, it is even more of an imperative that our players become role models to the many young female players that will be at our games.

Q: You've been a successful coach at the club, collegiate and WPSL levels... what aspect from that experience has served you best in your new position as WPS Philadelphia head coach?

A: I feel I have coached every type of player from the most arrogant to the most charming... from quiet role players to effervescent goal scorers... from hard-nosed defenders to non-defending technically gifted players. Every player brings something to a team and I think as a coach, your job is to find out what makes each player tick & perform at their best. You have rules, you have parameters and it is the job of everyone to fulfill their roles within these guidelines. The team always comes first & foremost and it is essential every player playing for the Independence know this.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge in your new position as WPS Philadelphia head coach?

A: I think the biggest challenge has been getting to know all the players from the college level, to the international level, to the broader amateur level. I have watched a lot of game tape, talked to a lot of coaches from all levels of female soccer and been to a ton of college games to make sure that we have been able to bring in players that will suit our style and future plans.

Q: The city of Philadelphia is a well-known sports town, with ardent fans... with both the Independence & Union of Major League Soccer (MLS) starting play this year, how has the limelight treated you?

A: Philadelphia is a fantastic city with crazy sports fans and I truly believe that bringing many top players in was a huge plus for our club. We expect a great fan base & a huge following on Opening Day (Sunday, April 11 @ 6:00 p.m. vs. Atlanta @ West Chester University). It is the job of the coaches & the players to make sure they come back. Hopefully, we will give them something to be rowdy about. We have a lot of attacking players and my personal philosophy is if we can score one more than the opposition then 6-5 as a final score is fine.

Q: Players from your Long Island Fury side have made their presence felt in the first two WPS Drafts... in your opinion, who are "next" to grace the rosters of WPS Teams?

A: We are very proud of the six players from the Long Island Fury that have gone onto to make the step to the WPS. Our next group that I think will be able to play in WPS include: Alyssa Pember (Boston College, Albertson Fury '89), Victoria DiMartino (Boston College, Albertson Fury '90), Jasmyne Spencer (Univ. of Maryland, Albertson Fury '90), Crystal Dunn (Univ. of North Carolina, Albertson Fury '91) and Cari Roccaro (Albertson Fury '93). Roccaro is still only 16 so she has a while to go yet! Many of these players have been competing in the WPSL since they were 15 years old. So, that experience has been a major influence on their careers and the improvement they have made as players.

Q: Discuss the new Long Island Fury head coach and what the fans can expect from this summer's side, who will try to defend their 2009 WPSL National Championship.

A: Mike Demakis will be taking over as Head Coach of the Long Island Fury and he is an exceptional coach with experience, knowledge & integrity. All the players from the Long Island Fury played their youth soccer at Albertson Fury and Mike is a major part of our club. He knows all the players and with an amazing array of talent to pick from, I think the Long Island Fury will continue to put out teams that will compete for the WPSL Championship. I know Mike's goal is to be in Dallas next August (WPSL National Championship hosted by 2009 WPSL Final Four participant Dallas Premier Women's S.C.) and attempt to repeat as National Champions. It will be a difficult road but one which I know he relishes... and a journey that our players are excited to begin.

Q: Like a father with two children to be proud of... the Independence will also be fielding a team in the WPSL East this Summer 2010 season. Discuss the approach to that team & the potential test on your loyalties, as that side will also be taking on the Fury for a spot in the WPSL Final Four.

A: A lot of people have asked me this question... the Independence WPSL team will consist of players out of college and players that are on the brink of making the WPS full squad. The Long Island Fury is mostly youth players from our Albertson Fury club program - plus our Albertson players that are now in college. The Fury will be younger & inexperienced but Mike Demakis will have a massive group of top players to pick from... on the other hand, the Philadelphia Independence WPSL team will be players competing to make this sport their profession. I think it will be very difficult for the Fury to compete with these more experienced teams but I firmly believe that all the players involved will benefit from it. As the Fury showed last year against experienced teams like Ajax America: "you never know... anything can happen on any given day." We expect our Philadelphia Independence team to be a very strong squad of players. When they play Long Island, I will have to wear Fury socks, shorts & t-shirt and put a Philly Independence game sweatsuit over the top. It should be a great day and a proud day for everyone!

Q: In conclusion, there has also been some serious news over the pond regarding the England National Team... in your humble opinion, has the John Terry scandal done harm for your home country's World Cup aspirations this summer?

A: I don't think the Terry saga has hurt England's chances. It is the World Cup and the biggest stage for players. They will get on with it and try to bring home the world's ultimate football prize. I think England has more problems than the Terry saga... like who is going to play in goal? Who is going to partner [Manchester United forward Wayne] Rooney up front? Unless we solve these problems, England will be toothless in both 18-yard boxes and will not be able to compete with the world's top teams - who are the likely candidates to win the World Cup. I have a feeling [Liverpool forward] Fernando Torres will bring the cup home for Spain.

About the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL): The WPSL is a 50-plus team national league with five conferences starting in 2010 and is the largest women's soccer league in the world. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL's mission is to provide the highest level of soccer in our effort to: bring affordable & quality family entertainment to the community; display positive role models for our youth; while, being a stepping stone for aspiring players to Women's Professional Soccer (WPS).

For more information, visit our official website at http://www.wpsl.info, phone us at 1-800-854-0913 or contact us via email at media@wpslsoccer.com. You can also keep up with our league on our social media networking sites on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter!!

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