Sanderson, Independence seek a measure of revenge

As the Independence prepare to play magicJack Saturday for the second time this season, they are optimistic about the outcome.

Playing a Women's Professional Soccer game at home at Widener University is preferable to being on the road. Moreover, the Independence had a huge road win last week when they beat the previously undefeated Western New York Flash, 1-0, in Rochester.

Philadelphia's coach and players believe that even though magicJack won, 2-1, on May 1 at FAU stadium, the Independence outplayed their rivals from Florida.

"There's no question," Independence coach Paul Riley said. "We had the better of play. We should have won.

"We have speed and muscle up front, and we will cause problems in the back."

One of those speedsters is forward Lianne Sanderson. Selected ninth overall in the 2009 WPS international expansion draft by Philadelphia, Sanderson did not score against magicJack. Midfielder Tina DiMartino did, unassisted.

However, Sanderson leads the team in assists with three and has one goal.

"I really enjoy setting other players up," Sanderson said. "I think I can get on the score sheet more this season, too. I want to get in a position where I can score more goals because I am a good finisher with the ball.

"But as long as I have some impact on the game, that's good."

Sanderson made an impact on the game with the Flash when she fed the ball to Danesha Adams, who put a header into the back of the net for a 1-0 score that stood.

Adams, whom Riley summoned from the bench, was about 15 yards out when she took the ball on a cross from Sanderson in the 90th minute.

Riley would be happy if Sanderson were to come up with a pass like that against magicJack, and score, too.

"She is definitely a playmaker," Riley said. "She needs to shoot more. We need more production out of her."