The Philadelphia Independence expects to announce the signing of freeagent and United States Women's National Team defender Heather Mitts as early asTuesday, 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 onTuesday, although he admits that nothing is official until Mitts signson the dotted line.
Riley said that he believes Mitts is attracted to Philadelphia becauseof the "overall package" that it offers.  An overall package is whatfirst sparked Riley's interest in Mitts, and he is already making plansthat 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 fitsthose categories.  I think she is a very, very good player.  She isstill the starting right back on the national team.  In the formationwe 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.  HopeSolo, 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, Englishinternationals Fara Williams and Lianne Sanderson and Icelandicinternational Holmfridur Magnusdottir are all on board for aPhiladelphia 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 CarliLloyd as a player of interest, and is also trying to acquire midfielderTina DiMartino from FC Gold Pride.
"I would think, probably, we'll get one or the other," Riley said ofLloyd and DiMartino.  "I don't think we'll get both, but I wouldn't saywe are guaranteed.  But, I'm pretty confident we'll get one or theother at some point.  We would love to have both.  That would beluxury, but I don't think we'll be able to afford that or pull that offwith the trades."
The acquisition of goalkeeper Valerie Hendersonearlier in the week also means that the Independence will shift itsfocus away from a goalkeeper with the 13th-overall pick in the 2010 WPSDraft.  Riley said that Philly will be looking for the best player leftat that point.

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