On the heels of its high profile player signings, FC Indiana women’s football (soccer) team jumped to No. 5 spot in the world, its highest ranking in 12 months. In its latest rankings of top 20 women’s teams in the world, www.WomensWorldFootball.com ranks FC Indiana 5th, behind Umea IK (SWE), FCR 2001 Duisburg (GER), Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN), and Arsenal (ENG). FC Indiana’ off-season international signings which include Elena Danilova of Russia, Fatima Leyva and Charlyn Corral of Mexico, and Adjoa Bayor of Ghana. Danilova, a rising international star, and a celebrity in Russia on par with her tennis star friend Maria Sharapov, was a top scorer in the UEFA U19 European Championships, two years running. Danilova led Russia to a European title and was named the tournament’ MVP. Leyva, a key midfielder for Mexico WNT, will lead her country in a two game playoff against Japan, with the winner advancing to the 2007 World Cup. Corral, a huge celebrity in Mexico, created shockwaves with her blistering pace and finishing skills and becoming the youngest ever scorer at a recently completed Women’s U20 World Cup in Russia. She scored two goals in Mexico’s historic 4:2 win over Switzerland. During the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the event held in Veracruz, Mexico last January, Corral became the best goal scorer with 8 goals in 5 games. At such tender age, she was instrumental in securing her country's qualification for the World Cup. Bayor, a captain of Ghana WNT, is a 2003 African Player of the Year, and one of the most entertaining players in the world. She just helped her country qualify for the 2007 World Cup. "Polls are very unscientific and generally for media hype," coach Shek Borkowski said. "But don't get me wrong, we are excited about having the number 5 ranking in the world. It is something to built on and it will be nice too see how we do this year." FC Indiana will face a difficult 2007 schedule as in addition to its WPSL and US Open Cup schedules, the team will face national teams of Ghana, and Mexico. The team will also travel to Europe in July to take part in Vitebsk International tournament. fcindiana.com