SAN FRANCISCO (January 5, 2012) – Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) released today the mechanics that will govern the 2012 WPS Draft, set to take place 1pm CT on Friday, January 13th during the 2011 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.

The draft will give WPS’ 2012 field of teams the opportunity to infuse their rosters with top new talent from the collegiate ranks. The fourth installment of the League’s annual draft will consist of four rounds for a total of 23 selections made by the five WPS teams: Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC and Western New York Flash. Draft order has been determined by reverse order of the 2011 regular season standings, and includes any previously completed trades between teams for draft picks.

In rounds one and two, teams will have three minutes to make a selection or trade and will be allotted five minutes per selection in rounds three and four. Each team is entitled to one five-minute time out during each round for further evaluation, rule clarification or to complete a trade.

The three previous No. 1 selections include Amy Rodriguez in 2009 out of University of Southern California, Tobin Heath in 2010 from the University of North Carolina and Alex Morgan in 2011 out of University of California, Berkeley. Other standout players entering the league through the draft include Megan Rapinoe (2009, University of Portland), 2010 WPS Rookie of the Year Ali Riley (2010, Stanford University), 2011 WPS Defender of the Year Whitney Engen (2010, University of North Carolina), Sinead Farrelly (2011, University of Virginia) and 2010 MAC Hermann Trophy Winner and 2011 WPS Rookie of the Year Christen Press (2011, Stanford University).

All players interested in playing in WPS must declare their eligibility for the 2012 season and WPS Draft by registering with the league on or before Monday, January 9.

The draft room is closed to the public, however, WPS fans around the country will have the chance to follow their favorite team’s selections in real time on twitter and via a live league webcast from the draft room in Kansas City, on www.WomensProSoccer.com. Registered participants of the NSCAA convention interested in viewing the draft can catch the live webcast at the NSCAA booth inside the Kansas City Convention Hall (Booth 202).

2012 WPS Draft Order (subject to change via trades)

Round 1
1. Atlanta Beat
2. Sky Blue FC
3. Boston Breakers
4. Atlanta Beat *via trade
5. Philadelphia Independence
6.Western New York Flash
7. Western New York Flash *via trade

Round 2
8. Western New York Flash *via trade
9. Sky Blue FC
10. Sky Blue FC *via trade
11. Boston Breakers *via trade
12. Philadelphia Independence
13. Philadelphia Independence *via trade

Round 3
14. Philadelphia Independence *via trade
15. Sky Blue FC
16. Boston Breakers
17. Philadelphia Independence
18. Western New York Flash

Round 4
19. Sky Blue FC
20. Boston Breakers
21. Philadelphia Independence
22. Western New York Flash
23. Atlanta Beat *via trade