SACRAMENTO, CA (09/25/08) - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced the results of its WPS Initial International Draft on Weds., Sept. 24th - officially assigning the WPS-playing rights of those selected by the respective teams - and four "internationals" who have suited up with teams in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) were chosen. Heading the list are two former All-WPSL selections in Brazilian star Daniela (Bay State Select) and Australian dynamo Heather Garriock (Adirondack Lynx).

Each WPS team was allowed to draft four international players, providing teams with the opportunity to begin a formal negotiation process with each selected player upon receiving permission from that player's current club. The draft does not reflect any firm commitment on the player's behalf to sign with their respective team, however, it does signify the beginning of the process by which each team will move forward according to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

> For the full press release including all the international players drafted for the WPS, click HERE.

"The international draft was created to allow an equitable opportunity for the individual WPS clubs to develop their teams, by assigning the WPS-playing rights to the seven franchises that are beginning play in April 2009," said WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci, who was both a player and team owner in the WPSL. "Now they can go out to the market - and after receiving permission from the player's clubs - put together the most competitive team they possibly can based on their selections.

"Today's draft showcased interesting selections and last minute trades. Clearly there is a keen interest in Brazilian players, who bring a creative and dynamic rhythm of play. And more broadly, from Asia to Australia, Europe to the Americas, it's exciting to see our teams looking to sign players from across the world to play in WPS in 2009."

Daniela - who was selected by St. Louis in the 1st Round with the fourth overall pick - was a midfield force in her two years with Bay State Select, bursting on the WPSL scene in 2005 with a 7-goal, 3-assist (17 points) performance in 10 matches played while being named All-WPSL in both the 2005-06 seasons. Bay State (who will return to the WPSL in 2009 after a one-year hiatus this past season) just missed the playoffs in her first season and overall, her duels with the New England Mutiny and specifically against U.S. U-23 National Team member Meghan Schnur were of the highest quality.

"The level of play in those matches between New England and Bay State, and especially the duels between Daniela and Schnur were certainly a sight to see," said WPSL Media Relations Director Jorma Kansanen, who worked for the Mutiny before moving on to league management. "With her work rate, dedication and skill, Daniela can turn any match around in a heartbeat and her adversaries know that."

Garriock - who was selected in the 2nd Round by head coach Emma Hayes & the Chicago Red Stars and is a starting midfielder for the Matildas - was unable to play with the Adirondack Lynx this past season due to her National Team commitments. However, she was a huge reason for the team's success in their first two years (2006-07) in the WPSL East Conference: which included two All-WPSL selections for Garriock, a Divisional title and a berth in the 2006 Eastern Conference Final. When Garriock wore the Lynx uniform, the team posted an impressive 8-3 record, while she scored 10 goals and 8 assists in 11 matches played.

"I am excited to be coming back to the States for a run in the WPS," said Garriock, who recently earned her 100th cap with the Matildas. "My experience in the WPSL allowed me to continue playing at a high level and return to the Australian National Team rejuvenated. I was actually real surprised when Coach Sermanni gave me the clearance in 2007 to head overseas to play with the Lynx again, especially with the importance of where the Australian National Team was in gearing up for the Olympic Qualifiers and World Cup."

Two other players selected in the WPS Initial International Draft who spent their share of time wearing the uniforms of WPSL sides are Homare Sawa (Denver Diamonds, selected with the sixth overall pick in the 1st Round by the Washington Freedom) and Melissa Tancredi (River Cities F.C., selected in the 3rd Round by St. Louis). Sawa starred for Denver in the 1999-00 seasons while Tancredi is no stranger to the St. Louis organization, as she suited up for their developmental team in River Cities F.C. in the 2007 season.

The order of selections was based on a weighted ranking voted on by league coaches following the U.S. Women's National Team allocations on Tues., Sept. 16th. The WPS Initial International Draft will be followed on October 6th by a general draft of domestic players and remaining international players, where you just might see more stars from the WPSL make their WPS dreams come true.

About Women's Professional Soccer (WPS): the mission of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) is to be the premier women's soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women's professional sports are measured. Play kicks off in the spring of 2009, with WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. The league will expand in 2010 with the inclusion of Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.womensprosoccer.com.

The WPSL is a 51-team national women's soccer league with five conferences and is considered one of the top women's soccer leagues in the world. The WPSL's mission is to provide the highest level of women's soccer while simultaneously providing affordable, quality family entertainment and positive role models for youth. For more information, you can contact us via email at media@wpsl.info.