The Philadelphia Independence expects to announce the signing of free
agent and United States Women's National Team defender Heather Mitts as early as
Tuesday, Philadelphia Head Coach Paul Riley said.

The deal is imminent, although not yet official.  It has been held up, Riley said, due to Mitts traveling. 

"We're very, very close," Riley said.

Mitts is currently in Mexico and Riley said the deal could be done on
Tuesday, although he admits that nothing is official until Mitts signs
on the dotted line.

Riley said that he believes Mitts is attracted to Philadelphia because
of the "overall package" that it offers.  An overall package is what
first sparked Riley's interest in Mitts, and he is already making plans
that involve her.

"I think it's the overall package," Riley said.  "She's a local girl. 
I think we needed some experience; we need a leader.  I think she fits
those categories.  I think she is a very, very good player.  She is
still the starting right back on the national team.  In the formation
we are going to play, I think she is going to be very good."

Riley also recognizes what Mitts brings to the table off the field,
calling her one of the two best marketing tools in the league.  Hope
Solo, he said, is the other.

"I think she'll be the face of the franchise, to be honest with you," he said.

Riley also added that every international draft pick has been signed, with the exception of Swedish defender Charlotte Rohlin.

That means that Swedish international Caroline Seger, English
internationals Fara Williams and Lianne Sanderson and Icelandic
international Holmfridur Magnusdottir are all on board for a
Philadelphia team that is shaping up to be quite the squad.

The transactions are not done, either.

Riley said he has targeted free agent and U.S. international Carli
Lloyd as a player of interest, and is also trying to acquire midfielder
Tina DiMartino from FC Gold Pride.

"I would think, probably, we'll get one or the other," Riley said of
Lloyd and DiMartino.  "I don't think we'll get both, but I wouldn't say
we are guaranteed.  But, I'm pretty confident we'll get one or the
other at some point.  We would love to have both.  That would be
luxury, but I don't think we'll be able to afford that or pull that off
with the trades."

The acquisition of goalkeeper Valerie Henderson
earlier in the week also means that the Independence will shift its
focus away from a goalkeeper with the 13th-overall pick in the 2010 WPS
Draft.  Riley said that Philly will be looking for the best player left
at that point.



Should nothing go wrong for Philly and Mitts in the coming days, Mitts will return to the
city she called home in her WUSA days.  What do you think of Mitts
going to Philadelphia?  How about Philadelphia's seemingly stacked
lineup?  Share your thoughts below.