The Pali Blues of the United Soccer League’s (USL) W-League and the Hollywood United Hitmen of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) have announced a formal partnership. In addition to sharing the same home stadium, Palisades High’s Stadium by the Sea, the clubs will now share resources and expertise to create one of the most unique soccer environments in the world. The Blues are one of the most successful women’s soccer clubs in the United States, having won back-to-back W-League championships under head coach Charlie Naimo in 2008 and 2009. Since their inaugural 2008 campaign the Blues remain undefeated in all competitions, having fielded numerous top names in women’s soccer, including United States national team players Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath, Amy LePeilbet and Kendall Fletcher and World Cup stars Kirsty Yallop, Collette McCallum and Kate Munoz. The Hitmen were formed in late 2008 as a new branch of the world-famous Hollywood United club, which has competed in Los Angeles-area amateur leagues for over 20 years, defeated the Portland Timbers in the U.S. Open Cup in 2008 and its senior team has boasted some of the biggest stars in TV, film, music and sports. The Hitmen won the PDL Southwest Division regular season title in their debut season in 2009 with a roster that included former Cuban Olympic Team goalie Jose Miranda, Guatemalan international Willie Sims and former Chivas USA defender Rene Corona. When the Pali Blues were established in 2007, local owners Ali and Maryam Mansouri intended to have both a men’s and women’s team. However, because of existing territory rights, the USL could only grant them a women’s franchise. A new opportunity arose when the Hitmen acquired the rights to the former San Fernando Valley Quakes PDL franchise in 2009, and the Mansouris joined the new team’s ownership group; now, with the support of former professional goalie, actor, and long-time Hollywood United stalwart Anthony LaPaglia, the owners’ dreams are finally being realized. “The Hollywood United organization couldn’t be more excited about formalizing our relationship with the Pali Blues,” Hitmen general manager Jason Mathot said. “Ali, Maryam and their staff have set the standard for teams, not only in this league, but in this country. The daily operation of the club is amazing and all of the hard work their staff performs pays off with the product they put on the field. This new chapter in our organizations’ histories will hopefully strengthen both of us, in terms of the level of professionalism off the field and the level of success on it.” The Hitmen began their 2010 PDL campaign on April 24 with a 3-0 road victory over the Fresno Fuego and made their home debut last Saturday, May 1, falling 1-0 to the Southern California Seahorses. The home opener was preceded by a celebrity charity game, the inaugural Steve Cassen Memorial Cup, in which the senior Hollywood team remembered one of its teammates and celebrated his life. Cassen, who passed away a few weeks ago, was a member of the Hollywood United family for many years. The Blues, meanwhile, begin defense of their W-League title on Saturday, May 22, when they host the Santa Clarita Blue Heat. At halftime, players and fans will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most people juggling soccer balls simultaneously in one place. For more details about the Hollywood United, call Kenzo Bergeron at 310-709-2242, e-mail kbergeron@hollywoodutd.com or visit the Web site: www.hollywoodutd.com. For more details about the Pali Blues, call Jason Lemire at (310) 264-4649, e-mail jason@bluessoccerclub.com or visit the Web site: www.bluessoccerclub.com.
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