KENNESAW, GA (Jan. 20, 2012) - The Atlanta Beat of Women’s Professional Soccer today announced former Sky Blue FC midfielder Danielle Johnson as the newest addition to the 2012 roster.

“Danielle is a blue-collar type worker,” said Beat head coach James Galanis. “She plays very aggressive and she is a versatile. She can play anywhere across the backline and anywhere across the midfield. She is a solid player with WPS experience, and we think she is going to be an important part of the Beat this year.”

Johnson joined Sky Blue as the 35th overall pick in 2010 and started 11 of 13 matches over the course of two seasons.

“We watched her play on numerous occasions last year, and she did a really good job on the backline,” said Galanis. “She is strong and fearless, and she also has good ball handling skills. Her biggest strengths are her versatility and aggressive nature. She gets stuck-in on a lot of tackles.”

From 2006-2009, Johnson competed for the University of Mississippi where she became the first player in school history to earn All-SEC and All-Region honors in each of her four years. She also made 81 starts in her college career, ranking fourth all-time in Ole Miss program history.

Johnson is spending the WPS offseason with Sydney FC alongside Beat goalkeeper Alli Lipsher in the Australian W-League.

“With our National Team players expected to be away, Danielle will definitely be an available option given her ability to play both left and right back, be a central part of the defense, and play anywhere across the midfield.”

Danielle Johnson and all Atlanta Beat players report for preseason on March 1, 2012.

2012 ATLANTA BEAT ROSTER
Danielle Johnson
Sydney Leroux
Katy Frierson
Kate Deines
Carli Lloyd
Val Henderson
Stephanie Cox
Yael Averbuch
Rachel Buehler
Amy LePeilbet
Lauren Sesselmann
Alli Lipsher
Kelley O'Hara
Katherine Reynolds
Angela Salem
Lauren Fowlkes
Rebecca Moros
Nikki Washington
Christen Press

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ABOUT WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER
Women’s Professional Soccer Women’s Professional Soccer is the world’s best soccer league for women, featuring stars from the U.S. National team and around the globe. WPS completed its third full season of competition in August as Western New York Flash (Rochester, NY) earned the 2011 WPS Championship, following FC Gold Pride (2010) and Sky Blue FC (2009) into the record books as the League’s top teams. The 2011 field of teams included Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC (New Jersey), magicJack (Florida) and Western New York Flash. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow along via our social media networks at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer and www.facebook.com/womensprosoccer.

About the Atlanta Beat
The Atlanta Beat joined Women’s Professional Soccer as one of two expansion clubs in the 2010 season. Atlanta entrepreneur T. Fitz Johnson secured the rights to the Atlanta team in September 2008 before the club officially became a WPS franchise on June 18, 2009. The Beat play all WPS home games in Kennesaw, Ga., at KSU Soccer Stadium, the world’s only women’s soccer specific stadium of this magnitude. Atlanta’s new team takes on the same name as the market’s former Women’s United Soccer Association club which was the only WUSA team to reach the playoffs in every season. The Beat's colors are Ferrari Red, Championship Gold, and Black. SEASON TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Call 678-298-4716 for more information or visit www.TheAtlantaBeat.com.

About WellStar
WellStar Health System is the official jersey sponsor and Healthcare provider for the Atlanta Beat of Women’s Professional Soccer. WellStar, a not-for-profit health system, includes Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals; WellStar Physicians Group; Urgent Care Centers; Health Place; Homecare; Hospice; Atherton Place; Paulding Nursing Center; and WellStar Foundation. For more information, call 770-956-STAR or visit www.wellstar.org.