PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - High atop a hill, surrounded by the Santa Monica Mountains and overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean, sits Palisades High School ’s newly-renovated ‘Stadium by the Sea’. This upcoming season, the state-of-the-art facility will be the home to one of the newest teams in the USL W-League, the Pali Blues.

High atop a hill, surrounded by the Santa Monica Mountains and overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean, sits Palisades High School ’s newly-renovated ‘Stadium by the Sea’. This upcoming season, the state-of-the-art facility will be the home to one of the newest teams in the USL W-League, the Pali Blues.

The ‘Stadium by the Sea’ has undergone a massive transformation over the past two years, thanks largely in part to contributions from Pali Blues owner, Maryam Mansouri. The grass in the facility has been upgraded to field turf, and the formerly dirt track has been replaced with Olympic rubber. The track has also been named in honor of Olympic Gold Medalist and Pali Blues supporter Carl Lewis.

The original intention of the stadium was for it to be used by the Blues semi-pro men’s club, but Blues Chief Executive Officer Ali Mansouri realized that it presented the perfect opportunity to bring top-notch women’s soccer to the Palisades.

“I have always thought that women’s soccer would succeed in the Palisades ,” Mansouri commented. “The community has an extremely close-knit feeling, and they support local events with great energy. The opportunity to contribute to the renovation of the Pali field has given us the ability to bring world-class women’s soccer to the area, and we are extremely excited about the prospect.”

The completion of the two-year project has upgraded the ‘Stadium by the Sea’ to one of the most premiere athletic facilities in the Palisades . The reality of the project was critical in the luring in of Pali Blues General Manager and Head Coach Charlie Naimo.

“Our facility is one of the main reasons that I was excited to come out west,” Naimo remarked. “The playing surface is beautiful, and it is the best location for a field that I have ever seen.

“Not only does it lie between the mountains and the ocean, but it is the middle of a wonderful community,” he continued. “I have visions of seeing our fans walk to games from their houses on a weekend afternoon to support their team, just like in other parts of the world.”

Kenzo Bergeron, Pali Blues Director of Operations, also commented on the great opportunity that is presented to the organization by playing in such a premiere venue.

“We look forward to bringing some of the best women’s soccer in the world to your backyard,” Bergeron announced to the Palisades community.

The Pali Blues are set to make their W-League debut in the summer of 2008. All updates regarding the team will be released through the team website at www.bluessoccerclub.com.