WPS Player of Week Danesha Adams Provides Assistance in 2-2 Tie vs Beat.

Women's Professional Soccer player of the week Danesha Adams of the Philadelphia Independence continued form in last night’s 2-2 draw in Atlanta, as she and fellow forward Amy Rodriguez hooked up in the 35th minute.

Trailing 1-0 in the first half,  Adams found A-Rod at the top of the box where the top pick of 2009 WPS Draft made her defender miss before putting the shot past Atlanta keeper Hope Solo for the 1-1 equalizer. This marked the fourth goal of the season for Rodriguez.

The chemistry between Adams and A-Rod actually started to coagulate during
Saturday's 4-1 win over Sky Blue F.C. when the former UCLA Standout Adams linked up twice with former USC All-American Amy Rodriguez.  Adams buried A-rod's cross to provide a fourth-minute lead, then sent a ball over the top for Rodriguez to finish for a 2-0 lead after 17 minutes.

Adams also set up the third goal, forcing a diving save from Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Kristen Luckenbill.

Joanna Lohman knocked home the rebound. “Danesha has worked extremely hard over the last 15 weeks to get herself physically fit and mentally prepared,” said Independence head coach Paul Riley.

“She has been focused and sharp in practice and I’m very happy she grasped this opportunity with both hands. Her goal was top shelf and she has a terrific soccer mind.”

Saturday night was Adams’s first start for Philadelphia and her standout performance gives an indication of the depth of the Independence bench. “Danesha earned this start and has proven to me that not only can she compete at this level, she can be a major force in WPS.

"I certainly believe she has the ability and I’m hoping she continues to give me a lineup dilemma every week,” Riley said. Adams is the third player from the expansion Independence to win Player of the Week honors, joining Lori Lindsey (Week Three) and Rodriguez (Week Eight).

The WPS Player of Week is selected by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Week One: Eniola Aluko (Saint Louis Athletica)
Week Two: Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)
Week Three: Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence)
Week Four: Sonia Bompastor (Washington Freedom)
Week Five: Karen Bardsley (Sky Blue FC) Week 6: Marta (FC Gold Pride)
Week Seven: Kosovare Asllani (Chicago Red Stars)
Week Eight: Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence)
Week Nine: Marta (FC Gold Pride)
Week 10: Danesha Adams (Philadelphia Independence)

*Philadelphia Independece Staff.