By JASON LEMIRE Special to the Palisadian-Post All of us associated with the Pali Blues Soccer Club are greatly saddened to hear that the Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer was forced to discontinue operations after one season. The news reaffirms our resolve to do whatever it takes to keep our own team, the Pali Blues, playing, winning, and inspiring young players right here in Pacific Palisades for years to come. It is no secret that the Blues, an amateur women’s organization dedicated to nurturing top collegiate and international talent, shared a special bond with the Sol. Blues co-founders, the Mansouri family, were one of the Sol’s original owners and Blues coach Charlie Naimo served as the Sol’s General Manager. Sol players, including FIFA Player of the Year Marta, were on hand to sign autographs at halftime of the Blues’ thrilling playoff victory over the Colorado Force at Stadium-by-the-Sea last year. However, the bond between the two organizations ran much deeper. Both the Blues and Sol were founded with the goal of inspiring a generation of girls and young women who are playing soccer in record numbers. This new generation enjoys unprecedented acceptance and celebration of the female athlete. Yet, if the shuttering of the Sol proves anything, perhaps it is that there is still much work to be done. Olympic track and field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee once said: “If a young female sees my dreams and goals come true, they will realize their dreams and goals might come true too.” Most young soccer players will not get full-ride college scholarships. Fewer still will go on to careers as pro athletes. Yet we all hope the young women in our lives will grow up believing in their capacity to pursue their own goals and dreams. And for those gifted and dedicated few who do reach the highest heights of women’s soccer, we must continue to live by our motto: “Where Tomorrow’s Stars Play Today.” We are planning a variety of fantastic game-day events, including our “Beat 627” initiative to break the world record for most people in one stadium juggling soccer balls, while sending thousands of balls to needy children here in L.A and around the world. We will host our second annual “Teddy Bear Toss,” collecting stuffed animals for FirstStar to distribute to disadvantaged kids. There will be a Free Summer Camp Showcase at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, February 28, at Palisades High and we are hoping to begin in-school presentations with our players this spring. Though we will never be able to replace the Sol, together we can help keep the passion for women’s soccer and women’s athletics burning bright. Together we can continue to offer the girls and young women of Los Angeles the heroes and role models they deserve. (Jason Lemire is the General Manager of the Pali Blues Soccer Club. He can be reached at 310-867-0977 or by e-mail at Jason@bluesoccerclub.com.)
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