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."