Free Kicks - November 11, 2009

- The Red Stars say they still intend to resign Cristiane and that the Brazilian forward would like to be back with the club.  Cristiane is an unrestricted free agent.

- Portland senior Michelle Enyeart had a sad ending to her college career when she was carried off the field with a knee injury during the Pilots’ West Coast Conference final win over San Diego.  Enyeart scored 13 goals and added 12 assists this season and could see her draft stock plummet due to the injury

- The Beat are hopeful of finalizing their stadium announcement in the upcoming weeks.

- The Independence have traded out of the first round to acquire Amy Rodriguez, Allison Falk, and Val Henderson.  But head coach Paul Riley said the team will not be parting with the 13th overall pick, now the club’s first.  “The convention is in Philadelphia so we better hold onto it,” he deadpanned.  (The 2010 WPS Draft takes place on January 15 at the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia.)

- Hayes reports that Lindsay Tarpley and Megan Rapinoe, both of whom had knee surgery since the end of the season, are both on course to join the club for the opening of training camp next Spring.

- FC Gold Pride and the Chicago Red Stars are both hopeful of announcing international signings before Thanksgiving.

- There have been six instances of first round picks being traded including the no. 5 overall pick twice.  That pick was originally Boston’s, was traded to Philadelphia, and then to Los Angeles.

- A player with a familiar name expected to be drafted is forward Gina DiMartino of Boston College, the younger sister of FC Gold Pride midfielder Tina DiMartino.  Gina scored seven goals this season.  But she did not lead the team.  A third sister, freshman Victoria DiMartino, christened her college career with 14.