LA Galaxy Orange County Women Become the REDS – Vibrant, Relevant and Definitely Passionate
Creating a cultural lifestyle bringing together the best of Southern California and excellence in women’s soccer, United Women’s Soccer 2019 Champions relaunch as REDS.
Promising to be a SoCal experience like no other, a sensational new women’s soccer team has emerged on the scene.
Yes, it has a star-studded roster and is giving experience to a couple of super talented young players. Yes, fans can come out to watch this team and know that they are cheering for former US National Team players — and a player who has an Olympic Gold Medal at her house. What makes this team with players from eight different countries unique is more than the fact they ranked #1 in the nation last year winning the United Women’s Soccer championship played in Canada — it is their passion and excitement for the game, collectively and individually. Their enthusiasm is electric.
The name of the team: REDS — bold, strong, and dynamic — just like the color.
Formerly known as LA Galaxy Orange County, the UWS 2019 National Champions, these dynamic women are back under a NEW crest and will compete in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).
Coached again by Scott Juniper, the REDS are coming off a championship season and look to continue their open and attacking style of play while inspiring the future.
Read: LA GALAXY OC WOMEN WIN UWS CHAMPIONSHIP
Juniper has selected a strong roster headlined by Natasha “Tasha” Kai who scored goals in the 2008 Olympic games, earning herself a Gold medal. While the roster is packed with playmakers, two players to keep an eye on are SJ Affleck and MariCarmen Reyes.
“I have known both SJ Affleck and MariCarmen Reyes for a long time and we are really excited to have them,” said Juniper. “SJ was an important starter for BYU in 2019 playing on what was historically one of their best ever teams. Don’t be deceived by the pretty bows that she wears, she is tough, athletic, super competitive and a really clever player going forward.”
“Mary, who plays at UCLA, was on our squad last year but because of injury wasn’t able to play,” said Juniper. “She has worked extremely hard to get back to fitness and just helped carry the Mexico U-20 squad through World Cup qualification. She is an all-round midfield player with an infectious energy for the game. Both SJ and Mary are Orange County natives like much of the core of this team.”
The REDS ARE Not Your Average Soccer Team
REDS’ founder and CEO Tim Woodcock wanted to create something different — something that was unique … and not just about soccer or even women’s soccer.
Born in England and a long time resident of Orange County, Woodcock has built a soccer club with a culture that reflected California’s active lifestyle and real female empowerment — and he has accomplished this with a group of incredible athletes. “Our logo reflects the beach, the Southern California outdoor lifestyle and creating experiences on and off the soccer field,” said Woodcock.
“The goal is to get more people interested in women’s soccer and grow the influence of the women’s game,” said Woodcock who has coached in Orange County for over twenty years.
“There is a culture and energy around surfing and enjoying the Pacific, and the REDS are more than a group of players with a list of career accomplishments — there is an authenticity to our team, its a different kind of team, with players who love playing soccer but also love what Southern California has to offer.”
What inspired Woodcock?
“This idea comes from the experience of running the successful LA Galaxy OC Women’s team, investing a lot of money, and recognizing that there is a gap in the market. We won the National Championship last year, have some of the best female players in the country and give our fans a great game day experience … but I knew we were still missing something.”
Woodcock wanted to answer the question, “What else can we do to connect with our fans and bring our love of the game to the public?”
“I realized that some of the best stuff we do was after the game with the fans and on social media,” said Woodcock.
“It is seeing what the game means to the people who attend the game and sharing that experience — this is more than just soccer.”
“I want coming to cheer for the REDS to be an event — It is an experience. We want people to come and enjoy themselves — these are events built around the great game of soccer,” said Woodcock. “Maybe the fans would like to know that Natasha Kai surfs?”
The idea is for the REDS to be more relatable, for their players to be more than just top soccer athletes but become known as people as well as players.
Does Woodcock remember the first soccer match he attended? Well, he remembers the experience more than the game.
“Attending a soccer match can leave a strong impression – I don’t remember my first game, but I remember the experience —the electricity of the fans. That is when I became a Sheffield United fan, and I am still one today,” said Woodcock.
REDS Player Spotlight: Natasha Kai
“Tasha” as she likes to be called, is an American professional soccer player and Olympic Gold medalist.
A striker who passionately loves scoring, Kai suited up wearing Red, White & Blue for U.S Soccer’s Women’s National Team as well as for Sky Blue FC and the Philadelphia Independence. Never one to be bored, and to test her extensive skills, Kai joined the first US women’s rugby Union Sevens team in 2011 to play in the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup held in Dubai. Proud to be a REDS, Tasha looks forward to scoring big this season and meeting fans.
Read: LA GALAXY OC WOMEN TROUNCE REIGNING UWS CHAMPS TO ADVANCE
The REDS home is Orange County’s Championship Soccer Stadium in the Irvine Great Park and features seating for 5,000 screaming fans.
Great food, a family atmosphere, and breathtaking soccer are all that’s needed for a great time at the OC bowl — and the REDS plan on having it all.
The REDS Women’s Soccer Roster Includes:
| Maddy | Vergura |
| Olivia | Athens |
| Jayma | Martin |
| Hillary | Beall |
| Kate | Wiesner |
| Natalie | Ward |
| Jenna | Nighswonger |
| Catarina | Macario |
| Madison | Louderback |
| Reema | Bzeih |
| Kirstin | Wong |
| Penelope | Hocking |
| Kennedy | Wesley |
| Ariyana | Shafizadeh |
| Bella | Ballard |
| Sierra | Enge |
| Jazzmin | Mancilla |
| Jenny | Hipp |
| SaraJayne | Affleck |
| Shelby | Lee |
| Olivia | Athens |
| Sunshine | Fontes |
| Hayley | Gonzales |
| Kapuamakamae | Gomera-Stevens |
| Jenna | Nighswonger |
| Kat | Hess |
| Jazzmin | Mancilla |
| Nicole | Molen |
| Nicole | Molen |
| Brianne | Riley |
Watch the REDS make their mark on SoCal and the rest of the world as they prepare for the next season. Click here for the schedule.
LA Galaxy Orange County Women’s Team was part of the LA Galaxy Orange County youth soccer club and has made the transition to Liverpool FC International Academy SoCal.
Read: LA GALAXY OC BECOMES LIVERPOOL FC INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
As part of a worldwide program, LFC International Academy SoCal (LFCIA SoCal) provides young players with an opportunity to develop, learn new techniques and skills, under the guidance of professionally accredited LFCIA coaching staff. By following the same curriculum as delivered to players at the Liverpool FC Academy in the UK we can ensure that all participants get the very best soccer education.
Read: LA GALAXY OC WOMEN’S LINDSEY HUIE – PROUD OF BEING THE OLDEST PLAYER
