Pali Blues was an American women's soccer team, which played from 2008 to 2014. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Western Conference against Colorado Force, Colorado Rush, LA Strikers, Santa Clarita Blue Heat, Seattle Sounders Women, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Victoria Highlanders Women.
The team played its home games in the "Stadium-by-the-Sea" at Palisades High School (nicknamed “Pali”) in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, California. The club's colors were pale blue, orange and white and was a sister club to the Los Angeles Blues of the USL Pro league.
The club enjoyed robust fan support from the Tony Danza Army, their official supporters group. The "Stadium By The Sea" was widely considered one of the toughest places to play in the W-League, confirmed by Blues coach Charlie Naimo, who called the Tony Danza Army's support the best he has seen in the United Soccer Leagues.
The Blues won their first W-League title in their debut season, beating FC Indiana 2–1 in the W-League Championship game in Virginia Beach, Virginia on August 2, 2008. They would repeat as champions by defeating the Washington Freedom Reserves 2–1 in Germantown, Maryland on August 7, 2009.
Before winning their first W-League title in August, the Pali Blues won the Las Vegas Silver Mug Tournament over Ajax America Women with one goal on February 10, 2008. Their first official game as a team was the first game of the Silver Mug tournament against Ajax America Women on February 9, 2008. The Blues scored a winning goal and moved on to defeat the Athleticos 8-0, the Legacy 9-0 and the Denver Diamonds 4-2. In the semifinal round the Blues defeated the West Coast Soccer Club with one goal.
In November 2014, the Blues announced that they would no longer compete in the W-League so the owners could focus their efforts on their USL franchise.
Players
Final 2014 roster Current at end of 2014.Blues soccer roster .
Coaching staff Head Coach: Charlie Naimo Associate Head Coach: Shayon Jalayer Assistant Coach: Tracey Kevins Goalkeeper Coach: Brett Borm
Notable former players The following former Blues have played at the professional and/or international level:
Danesha Adams Sasha Andrews Karen Bardsley Liz Bogus Janice Cayman Leanne Champ Lauren Cheney Carrie Dew Whitney Engen Kendall Fletcher Lauren Fowlkes Mele French Sara Gama Ashlyn Harris Tobin Heath Valerie Henderson Tuija Hyyrynen Brittany Klein Kara Lang Amy LePeilbet Camille Levin Manya Makoski Collette McCallum Iris Mora Alex Morgan Kate Munoz Jill Oakes Kelley O'Hara Cathrine Paaske-Sørensen Ilaria Pasqui Erika Prado Christen Press Ali Riley Julie Rydahl Bukh Chanté Sandiford Rosie Tantillo Jodie Taylor India Trotter Aricca Vitanza Sarah Walsh Nikki Washington Michelle Wenino Kandace Wilson Kirsty Yallop
2008 roster, 2009 roster, 2010 roster, 2011 roster, 2012 roster 2013 roster, 2014 roster
Year-by-year YearDivisionLeagueReg. seasonPlayoffs20081USL W-League1st, WesternChampions20092USL W-League1st, WesternChampions20102USL W-League2nd, WesternWestern Finals20112USL W-League3rd, WesternDid not qualify20122USL W-League1st, WesternFinals20132USL W-League1st, WesternChampions20142USL W-League1st, WesternChampions
Honors USL W-League Champions 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 USL W-League Regular Season Champions 2008, 2012, 2014 USL W-League Western Conference Champions 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 Las Vegas Silver Mug Tournament Champions 2008
References
External links Official site Official parent club site Pali Blues on USL Soccer