Red Stars forward Danesha Adams and defender Nikki Krzysik were both selected by the Philadelphia Independence in yesterday’s WPS Expansion Draft. Krzysik was selected as the 5th overall pick and Adams the 11th out of the 13 players chosen.

Adams was drafted by the Red Stars in the first round of the inaugural WPS General Draft with the 6th overall pick and Krzysik came on board in the second round with the 13th overall pick. But neither player was given the amount of playing time during this past season that would be commensurate with such high draft picks. Hopefully, in Philadelphia, that situation will improve for them both.

Considering that the seven charter WPS teams were each required to leave at least six of their players unprotected in this draft, there were surprisingly few players taken by the two expansion teams. The Philadelphia Independence snatched up seven players and the Atlanta Beat only burgled six before both teams turned up their noses at the remaining offerings, effectively ending the draft early. For a league purporting to showcase the finest female soccer talent in the world, this was not a sterling endorsement from its newest members.

But it’s hard to judge their behavior without being privy to the list of unprotected players, which the league has chosen to keep shrouded in secrecy. Maybe there were only slim pickings on the list or perhaps both teams are waiting until September 30th, when WPS players who were only given one-year contracts last season will become free agents.

For Red Stars fans who were relieved to lose only two of their beloved players, that’s when the real damage may still be coming.