Tuesday’s Column: L.A. Ready For its WPS Close-up

The L.A. entry in the new Women’s Professional Soccer is taking shape.

As always, I had more information than could fit in the column, so here’s some extra factoids and quotes:

*Amy Rodriguez is widely expected to be the top pick in a WPS college draft scheduled for January. That means she won’t be playing in Southern California; the L.A. team picks fifth in the first round of the 10-round draft.

*L.A. WPS GM Charlie Naimo will remain coach of Pacific Palisades-based W-League team Pali Blues, which becomes a feeder or reserve team to the WPS team.

*Don’t expect to many top German players in the inaugural WPS season. They are being urged to stay home ahead of the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

*Here’s Coach Abner Rogers on the need to look overseas for foreign attacking players:

“The one thing that we looked at when we started this whole process was who are the best players in the world – what can they bring to the table. … We felt attacking options, creativity was something we lacked (in the U.S.), players who can do something on the ball out of the ordinary.”

*Naimo on being allocated the rights to Japanese midfielder Aya Miyama:

“We have so many fantastic attacking options. The Japanese player is a different class. I think the fans are going to love her. She’s very adaptable, versatile. She’s a package.”

Naimo on being allocated the rights to former South Torrance High star Shannon Boxx:

“Boxxy was a no-brainer. She wanted to be here, we wanted her and she’s a great player.”

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email