(Potomac Soccer Wire)

9 Jan, 2009
The Washington Freedom has agreed to terms with Lori Lindsey, Becky Sauerbrunn and Emily Janss, three of its picks from the Women’s Professional Soccer draft in October.

They are the first three domestic players to reach agreements with a WPS club.

“We are thrilled to have Lori, Emily, and Becky on the Freedom,” President and General Manager Joe Quinn said. “All three players have been a member of the Freedom family for some time – Lori since the WUSA days – and I can't wait to see them on the field.”

Sauerbrunn, the third overall pick in the October draft, has two caps with the U.S. Women’s National Team, was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and is the only three-time NSCAA All-American in Virginia history. The 2008 W-League season was her first with the Freedom.

“I’m extremely excited to start playing with the Washington Freedom,” said Sauerbrunn. “I’m very honored to become a member of the Washington Freedom and to start playing with the other Freedom players.”

Lindsey, the Freedom’s third round pick, has been with the Freedom since being traded from San Diego to Washington before the 2003 WUSA season. Lindsey was part of the Freedom’s 2003 WUSA and 2007 W-League championship teams and is one of only two players in ACC history to be named the ACC Player of the Year in back-to-back years (2000 and 2001), with Mia Hamm being the other.

“Women’s soccer is finally coming back,” said Lindsey. “We have been training and waiting for this day and now it is finally here. It gives us a second chance at really making this work. I’m excited to be a part of it and excited to continue to be a part of the Freedom.”

Janss, the Freedom’s fourth round pick, is also a WUSA veteran having played with the New York Power from 2001-2003. Janss joined the Freedom in 2004 and was a part of the 2007 W-League championship team. The Maryland graduate was named to the All ACC First Team and All ACC Tournament Team in 1999.

“This is happening, this is real. It’s an exciting time. All of us have been doing so many things for so long but have always dedicated and put so much time and effort into growing the sport. It’s an ongoing quest for women’s soccer in the country to progress and grow and its one step closer now.”