Every fan in the area has been vocal about the absence of a women’s team. How could southern California, a place that produces players like Alex Morgan and Christen Press, not have a women’s soccer team? Many kids are indoctrinated into the sport before they can even walk. The infrastructure of soccer in the youth sports market in So Cal is so strong that it just builds upon itself. From great community and recreational leagues, to highly ranked and well-organized clubs, and finally to universities like UCLA and USC. With a climate that favors blue skies, the game has grown in this region and it seems that girls, in particular, are making it their number one choice when it comes to dedicating themselves to a sport.
While most players won’t make it to represent team USA at a World Cup, a seed is planted on their soccer journey and a lifelong love of the sport is born. That is especially true of girls, who seem to gravitate towards the sport for reasons that are social, physical and emotional. The community that creates is powerful. Imagine if there was an actual professional team to unite that community in a way that has never been done before? Girls have always gone to see professional male teams (hello, there are TWO here), but now they can gather around women who have achieved something remarkable and are playing their game on a field of their own. It’s a bit of news when we can all use something to look forward to.
