SACRAMENTO, CA (09/16/09) - The evolution of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) continued yesterday afternoon, as the 2009 Expansion Draft was held to allot players to the two new franchises starting competition in 2010. The Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence - who will be led by the 2009 Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) East Conference Coach of the Year & two-time WPSL National Champion mentor Paul Riley - were able to select up to nine players from other WPS teams that played the 2009 season.

Initially, existing teams were able to protect up to 10 players - adding two more protected players after losing a player. No team could lose more than three players and expansion teams collectively had to select one player from each existing team prior to selecting a second player from an existing team. In addition, the expansion teams collectively had to select a second player from each existing team prior to selecting a third player from an existing team.

After all was said and done, former SD United & Pacific Conference standout defender Leigh Ann Robinson - who was originally drafted in the 6th Round (40th overall) by F.C. Gold Pride in the WPS Draft held last January - was selected 1st overall by Atlanta. The 23-year-old appeared in 18 matches for the Pride this past season, totaling over 1,300 minutes of action on the pitch while scoring her first career goal (the eventual game-winner) against 2009 WPS Champion Sky Blue F.C. on May 3rd.

"I think both teams have laid a strong base to be very competitive in the league next year with the selections they made in today's Expansion Draft," said F.C. Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "We are disappointed to see Leigh Ann move on but, we know she can contribute a lot to the quality of play in the league no matter where she plays. We wish her the best of luck with Atlanta and look forward to a competitive and exciting 2010 season."

With the team's 4th selection, Riley selected Sue Weber, a strong defender that played for Boston this past season (8 starts in 9 matches) - where she was originally selected by the Breakers in the 3rd Round (18th overall) in last January's WPS Draft. Paul knows Sue well as he coached her previously in the WPSL with the Long Island Fury, where the two-time All-WPSL selection anchored his defense and led her team to the National Championship title in 2006.

"She has great physical qualities and a superb soccer mind," said Riley of his former soccer pupil, who was enjoying a strong season with Boston prior to season-ending knee surgery. "Sue is bright, tough and possesses an undoubted will to win. There is no doubt in my mind she can make an impact at this level."

"I'm so excited to be playing for the first expansion team in the league, and I'm glad I will be competing even closer to home (Long Island)," said Weber. "It's awesome that the league is maturing and expanding, and I'm looking forward to being on the field in Philadelphia in 2010."

In addition to Weber and her Breakers team-mate Kelly Schmedes, Philadelphia also selected Lori Lindsey (2nd overall) & Sarah Senty (9th overall) from the Washington Freedom, Jen Buczkowski (3rd overall) from Sky Blue F.C. and Nikki Krzysik (5th overall) & Danesha Adams (11th overall) from the Chicago Red Stars. After Robinson, Atlanta selected Amanda Cinalli (4th overall) & Sara Larsson (10th overall) from Saint Louis Athletica, Katie Larkin (6th overall) & Sharolta Nonen (8th overall) from the Los Angeles Sol and Noelle Keselica (12th overall) from Sky Blue F.C.

About Women's Professional Soccer (WPS): Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) is the premier women's soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women's professional sports are measured. The Inaugural Season kicked off in March 2009 with seven WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. The league's eighth and ninth franchises - Philadelphia and Atlanta - will begin play in the 2010 WPS Season, which begins March 2010. For more information, visit http://www.womensprosoccer.com.

About the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL): The WPSL is a 50-plus team national women's soccer league with five conferences and is considered one of the top five leagues in the world. 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.