CARSON “”mdash; Eager young fans screamed wildly, hoping to gain the recognition of their heroes.
Some held posters and pens while others clicked away on their cameras. The sun beamed relentlessly as the girls stood in the stands at the Home Depot Center that reached more than 4,000 in attendance at last Wednesday’s home game, but the sweltering heat did not prevent the fans from cheering for the league-leading Los Angeles Sol, the city’s new women’s professional soccer team.
The Sol’s 0-1 loss to the St. Louis Athletica moments earlier didn’t get in the way either.
The fans looked toward the field for a wave, a smile or even an autograph following the match.
Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
“It’s nice to be what people can look up to,” said McCall Zerboni, Sol midfielder and former UCLA midfielder.
Zerboni is among the inaugural class of players that make up the newly formed Women’s Professional Soccer, a seven-team league that began play on March 29.
According to its mission statement, the league strives “to be the premier women’s soccer league in the world, and the global standard by which women’s professional sports are measured.”
The Sol is co-owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group, which also operates two other local professional teams ““ the Los Angeles Kings (National Hockey League) and the Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer).
Joining Zerboni on the Sol is goalkeeper and former Bruin Valerie Henderson.
“I can’t really complain,” Henderson said. “I’m down here in L.A., close to where I went to college, and we have a great team.”
Through 17 games, the Sol sits comfortably atop the WPS standings. Having already clinched a playoff berth, the Los Angeles team draws decent crowds both at home and on the road.
But some did not initially envision the league’s early success.
Athletica goalkeeper Hope Solo originally had doubts and nearly didn’t join the WPS.
“I had my reservations playing here in America,” she said. “I was about to go back overseas and play, but I’m so glad I stayed here because this is the best league I’ve ever played in.”
Being a part of the league is something Zerboni is proud of as well.
“It’s definitely an honor to set the standards and get (the league) going,” she said.
Yet with a quick glance toward the stands, it is clear to see that there is something far more rewarding.
“Being able to give little girls something to strive for,” Zerboni said.