The Pali Blues of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) W-League and the Hollywood United Hitmen of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) have announced a formal partnership between the two clubs. In addition to the same stadium the teams already call home - the “Stadium by the Sea” at Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, California - this new partnership will allow the clubs to share resources and expertise to create one of the most unique soccer environments in the world.
The Blues are one of the most successful world-class 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 joining the W-League in 2008 the Blues remain undefeated in all competitions, and have fielded numerous top names in women’s soccer, including US national team players Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath, Amy LePeilbet and Kendall Fletcher, and international 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 US Open Cup in 2008, and has boasted some of film, television, music and sport’s biggest stars on its senior roster. The Hitmen won the PDL Southwest Division regular season title in their debut season in 2009 with a team that included former Cuban Olympic international goalkeeper Jose Miranda, Guatemalan international Willie Sims, and ex-Chivas USA defender Rene Corona.
When the Pali Blues were established in 2007, 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 goalkeeper, actor, and long-time Hollywood United stalwart Anthony LaPaglia, Mansouri’s dream is finally being realized.
The Hitmen’s general manager Jason Mathot said, “the Hollywood United organization couldn’t be more excited about formalizing our relationship with the Pali Blues. 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 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 and the organization off the field, and the level of success on it.”
The Hitmen begin their 2010 PDL campaign on Saturday, April 24 with a road trip to Fresno Fuego, before making their home debut on Saturday, May 1 against the Southern California Seahorses. The Blues begin their defense of their W-League title on Saturday, May 22 at home against the Santa Clarita Blue Heat – a game featuring the www.beat627.com Guinness World Record Attempt!
For further details on Hollywood Utd contact: Kenzo Bergeron 310.709.2242 kbergeron@hollywoodutd.com
Hollywood United Website: http://www.hollywoodutd.com/
