New WPSL Team — LA Galaxy San Diego — Kicks off Home Game This Friday
WPSL Match Information: LAGSD v Phoenix Del Sol
Home Game: Friday, June 16, 2017 at 7:00pm. The game will be played at the Army and Navy Academy at 2605 Carlsbad Blvd. Carlsbad, CA 92008
Come cheer for the new Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team in San Diego — the LA Galaxy San Diego (LAGSD) — as they kick off their inaugural home game this Friday night at the Army and Navy Academy. The new WPSL team in San Diego will take on Phoenix Del Sol.
The LA Galaxy San Diego plays in the WPSL PacSouth Conference.
Fans will enjoy a cool, new LA Galaxy San Diego swag including stickers, lanyards, shirts along with raffle prizes, a photo booth and more — so make sure you arrive on time.
Michael Tiernan will be joining the match to sing the National Anthem on opening night.
With half time entertainment including Bubble Soccer, SKLZ drills, all sports competition, and marine drills, this upcoming WPSL match is sure to delight soccer fans of all ages.
VIP tickets are available and provide a unique, behind the scene access including being allowed into the locker room to listen to game discussions and training/autograph sessions. VIP tickets provide preferred seating options and also include parking.
The Back Story on WPSL LA Galaxy San Diego
The LA Galaxy San Diego Women’s Team is the brain child of former Carlsbad Lightning coach and now CEO of Carlsbad’s technology company Processing Point Chad Buckmaster — along with the nudging of Michael Duggan – LA Galaxy’s San Diego Director of Soccer Operations.
Duggan knew Buckmaster shared his passion for soccer and support for the women’s game.
More than any other Director of Coaching in California over the last decade, Duggan has hired the highest number of women soccer coaches in a comparable youth club and is well known for his support of women in soccer.
Duggan’s desire to kick off a women’s soccer team in the well known Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) fits perfectly with his dream of supporting soccer in the community and providing opportunities for the club’s players to continue their passion to play the beautiful game — once they have graduated from youth soccer.
“Being a member of the WPSL is great for LA Galaxy San Diego — it completes the player pathway from recreation, to competitive youth soccer on to college and finally playing at this top level in this league,” said Michael Duggan. “Playing at Army and Navy will be so exciting! I believe this venue that will create a brilliant vibe.”
Buckmaster loved the idea of supporting the LA Galaxy San Diego Women’s Team in the WPSL and jumped on-board as a working partner.
“I am really excited to have this opportunity to work with Possessing Point, without their support we would not have been able to make all this happen. It is a great partnership — and one even more special as it allows us to reconnect with one of our former coaches,” said Duggan. “Chad coached with the club for three years and has always shared our passion for the game — as well as our dedication to growing the game of soccer, both here in Carlsbad and in the USA.”
Next Step: Fining a Fabulous Coach
San Diego native, Greg LaPorte is a highly respected and talented coach. A Poway High graduate with a wealth of collegiate and professional playing and coaching experience, LaPorte was the Associate Head Coach for the University of San Diego Women’s Soccer Program, and has been the men’s and women’s goalkeeper coach at UC San Diego.
At the youth level, LaPorte was the Assistant Director of Coaching for San Diego Surf SC and has helped many youth soccer players reach for their dreams of becoming collegiate players.
LaPorte’s professional playing career started in England, training with Manchester City and then tool him all over the world as he played for teams in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Germany and Italy.
“I am extremely honored and proud to be apart of the LA Galaxy San Diego,” said LaPorte. “I am eager to continue to cultivate the infectious soccer culture here with the addition of the WPSL.”
“It is an exciting time for the community of Carlsbad, and the opportunities it creates for local girl soccer players,” said LaPorte. “A special thanks to Michael Duggan, Carl Higham and Steve Cowell for bringing me onboard.”
WPSL LA Galaxy Players To Watch
We asked who should we keep an eye on and here is the scoop:
Erica Stephan:
Currently plays at Long Beach State University
Erica will play a crucial role in our success this season. She’s one of the anchors of our back line and scored two goals against FC Tucson last weekend. She brings a great amount of experience and toughness to the team that many of younger’s can learn from. Erica is an extremely hard worker and we are very excited to watch her grow throughout this season.
Katie O’Laughlin:
Currently plays at University of California San Diego
We are looking forward to Katie bringing her success throughout her collegiate career here to our Women’s team. Katie has such a knack for the goal and is electrifying when she has the ball. She is a blue collard player that works very hard and imposes herself onto any opponent. She is certainly not one to shy away from a tackle and one of the toughest players we have on the team. Look out for Katie in and around that goal area, she definitely knows how to finish a ball.
Jackie Altschuld:
Graduate from the University of San Diego
Jackie brings a wealth of experience to the team both from her collegiate and youth careers. Any time you have a player who has finished their collegiate career they bring a sense of calmness to the team that is so valuable. We are excited to have Jackie apart of our midfield, her ability to distribute the ball or go herself is special. We know that with her experience she will certainly be able to get to get our attack going. She is a player to keep an eye on as she knows exactly what it takes to win.
FULL WPSL LA GALAXY SAN DIEGO HOME SCHEDULE:
- LAGSD v Phoenix Del Sol on Friday, June 16, 2017, 7:00pm KO @ Army Navy Academy, Carlsbad
- LAGSD v FC Tucson on Saturday, June 17, 2017, 6:00pm KO @ Army Navy Academy, Carlsbad
- LAGSD v FC Pacific on Friday, June 30, 2017, 7:00pm KO @ Army Navy Academy, Carlsbad
- LAGSD v Phoenix Del Sol on Saturday, July 1, 2017, 6:00pm KO @ Army Navy Academy, Carlsbad
- LAGSD v Phoenix Del Sol on Saturday, July 15, 2017, 6:00pm KO @ Army Navy Academy, Carlsbad
