Whoever goes where on Friday, you can be sure that all nine teams will exit the day feeling good about their chances in 2010. — Dan Lauletta

When WPS decided to give the two incoming expansion clubs each an additional pick in the first round of Friday’s draft, few would have predicted that three of the four first round choices owned by the Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence would have been used in trades.  In fact once the Beat open the draft by making the first overall selection, neither expansion team will be heard from again (assuming no further trades) for the rest of the first round.  On the flip side, the Los Angeles Sol own three first round picks after finishing 2009 with the most points in the league.

Whoever goes where on Friday, you can be sure that all nine teams will exit the day feeling good about their chances in 2010.  Let’s take a closer look at each team’s needs, in order of their first pick in the draft, keeping in mind that international discovery players are no longer made public until signing contracts.

Atlanta Beat
First Round Picks:  1
Other Picks:  12, 23, 30, 39, 48, 57

Strengths:  Youth and flexibility.  The Beat have only 14 signed players meaning they are free to take the best available players with pretty much every pick.

Needs:  An anchor on defense, an engine in midfield (likely Tobin Heath with the first overall pick), proven scoring, backup goalkeeper

Boston Breakers
First Round Picks:  2, 11
Other Picks:  16, 34, 43, 52, 61, 65

Strengths:  Amy LePeilbet and Kelly Smith are two of the best in the league, LePeilbet in central defense, Smith as either an attacking midfielder or explosive forward.  Kristine Lilly and Leslie Osborne figure to provide midfield stability.  Goalkeeper Allison Lipsher turns 24 this month and should further elevate her play the year after wresting the starting job from Kristin Luckenbill.

Needs:  A center back partner for LePeilbet, finishing quality and forward depth to backup injury-prone Smith, defensive midfield, backup goalkeeper.

FC Gold Pride
First Round Picks:  3, 10
Other Picks:  12, 20, 32, 41, 50, 59

Strengths:  The addition of Camille Abily should make the midfield instantly better than we last saw it.  Rachel Buehler is a steady centerpiece for the defense.  Christine Sinclair can be one of the world’s best scorers.  A healthy Kandace Wilson is a force attacking from the right fullback slot.  Adding Abily without losing either first round pick was a coup.

Needs:  A front-running partner for Sinclair, backline help for Buehler, flank players in midfield, backup goalkeeper, anyone else who can put the ball in the back of the net.

Chicago Red Stars
First Round Picks:  4
Other Picks:  15, 24, 33, 42, 51, 60

Strengths:  Brittany Klein was the league’s most underrated midfielder in ’09.  New additions should bolster the squad—Kate Markgraf (maternity leave) on defense and Katie Chapman and Kosovare Asllani (international signings) on the goal-scoring front.  If Cristiane re-signs—the longer it goes, the more we have to wonder—the attacking presence will be that much better.  Megan Rapinoe was one of a handful of the top true rookies last year.

Needs:  Outside back, depth and insurance for injured Lindsay Tarpley, midfield depth, particularly on the defensive side, backup goalkeeper.

Los Angeles Sol
First Round Picks:  5, 8, 9
Other Picks:  14, 22, 25, 38, 47, 56

Strengths:  Karina LeBlanc is among the world’s top goalkeepers.  Shannon Boxx can dominate a game out of the defensive midfield and makes a good pairing with Aya Miyama.  Brittany Bock, another of last year’s top rookies, proved herself to be one of the league’s more versatile players.  Glut of high draft picks offers flexibility.  Marta.

Needs:  Replacement for center back Allison Falk, outside back, flank players for the midfield, backup goalkeeper, chemistry players to maintain what they started in ’09.

Sky Blue FC
First Round Picks:  6
Other Picks:  26, 29, 35, 44, 53, 62

Strengths:  Addition of Dutch defender Daphne Koster should help fill void in the back until Christie Rampone returns from maternity leave and make the back four plus Jenni Branam the backbone of the team.  Yael Averbuch developed into an exceptional holding midfielder.  Natasha Kai’s shoulders should be better by opening day and additional international depth up front will help Kai put her up-tempo style to better use.

Needs:  Attacking midfield, depth at all positions

Washington Freedom
First Round Picks:  7
Other Picks:  18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63

Strengths:  Abby Wambach and Lisa De Vanna helped fill the goal in ’09.  Erin McLeod arrived in May and stabilized what had been a spotty goalkeeping situation.  Cat Whitehill teamed with Becky Sauerbrunn to form a decent center back pairing and was an offensive force with her long, driving balls, notably on free kicks.

Needs:  Outside back, a midfield replacement for Lori Lindsey, forward depth, backup goalkeeper

Philadelphia Independence
First Round Picks:  none
Other Picks:  13, 31, 40, 49, 58

Strengths:  Off-season trades landed them Allison Falk on defense, Amy Rodriguez at forward, and goalkeeper Val Henderson.  They also landed Lori Lindsey, Sue Weber, and Jen Buczkowski in the expansion draft and signed Heather Mitts as a free agent.

Needs:  Scoring and depth, especially in midfield, backup goalkeeper

Saint Louis Athletica
First Round Picks:  none
Other Picks:  17, 19, 28, 37, 46, 55, 64

Strengths:  Hope Solo and Jillian Loyden combine as the league’s best goalkeeper and best backup.  Rugged backline with Tina Ellertson and Kia McNeill should be better in ’10.  Eniola Aluko can change a game with one touch.  Lori Chalupny is the league’s least talked about great player.

Needs:  Forward compliment to Aluko, notably someone who can create.  Attackers to give Chalupny and Co. a boost in midfield.

Have a question, a suggestion, or a story idea? Did you see something we didn't? Let me know at thirtymtp@aol.com .

Dan Lauletta is a freelance writer and can be reached at thirtymtp@aol.com . The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Women’s Professional Soccer or womensprosoccer.com.