Looking ahead to their season opener on April 11 against the Atlanta Beat after announcing their final roster and defeating Penn State in their final preseason match last week, the Independence sign a shirt sponsorship deal.

The  22-player roster for the 2010 season includes nine international players from six countries: US, Sweden, Canada, England, Iceland, and Japan.

Despite missing several international players who were away on national team duties, the Independence defeated Penn State 1-0 in their final preseason match before a sellout crowd at United Sports in Downingtown on Thursday. Independence midfielder and Penn State alumni Joanna Lohman scored in the 29th minute, her third goal in four preseason matches. In the second half, Holmfridur Magnusdottir created several chances including two shots in the 70th and 84th minute that went over the crossbar.

On Monday, The Philadelphia Business Journal reported that the Independence had signed a shirt sponsorship deal with Premier Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 38-physician practice with offices in Chester and Delaware counties. The deal, the terms of which have not yet been disclosed, makes the Independence the third team in the WPS with a shirt sponsor.

The Independence will host the Atlanta Beat on Sunday, April 11, in their season opener at John A Farrell Stadium in West Chester. Kick off is at 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Independence