The Women's Premier Soccer League is the largest women's soccer league in the world with over 100 teams competing across the nation. The pro-am league
The Women’s Premier Soccer League is the largest women’s soccer league in the world with over 100 teams competing across the nation. The pro-am league was formed in 1998 and is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
The WPSL’s mission is to provide the highest level of soccer in an effort to bring affordable & quality family entertainment to the community, and display positive role models for our youth while being a stepping stone for aspiring professional & international-level players.
In San Diego, Calif. the WPSL has a long history with the SeaLions team, co-owned by Lu Synder and Scott Dreher. Established in 1988, San Diego WFC is one of the oldest female soccer clubs in the United States. In 2000 the SeaLions, known then as SD Auto Trader, won the WPSL Championship. In 1999 they won the US National Cup, and three years later they became the developmental squad for the WUSA’s San Diego Spirit.
No other adult soccer club in the USA boasts such a continuous tradition of excellence, passion and love for the game. The SeaLions’ roster consists of former WUSA professionals, veterans of the top college programs in the country, and local high school prospects.
In 2016, the SeaLions lost in the WPSL Finals, and this season it has been their goal to get back to the Finals to have some redemption.
“After last year’s loss in the WPSL Championship final, we only had 1 goal in mind – to win it all,” said Snyder who is also the team’s assistant coach. “It was tough, getting so close last year. We walked off that field in Columbus with pits in our stomachs and it’s pushed us to work harder this season. It was no easy task though. Our opening game versus newcomers LA Strikers FC was a nail-biter, but in the 94th minute we scored. Then we followed that with two goals in the last 10 minutes to beat Tucson. Those two matches gave us our mindset – nobody can beat us if we don’t let them.”
Head Coach Jen Lalor, when asked about what the main focus of the team has been during the season said, “What is stressed is personal and team performance everyday and every game. It is based on improvement from practice to practice and game to game. Being undefeated doesn’t mean we are better or more prepared than anybody else leading into playoffs. If anything, it’s an added incentive for other teams to try to knock us off. What has been important are the games we have played this season have challenged us in different ways and most importantly, this team believes in each other and this organization.”
With an undefeated record of 9-0-1 this season, the SeaLions have been dominant in the Pacific South Division. Boasting a 13 point advantage over the second place team and notching a +31 goal differential is quite a statement. However, they are not resting, they have their eye on battling tough competition in the Western Regionals and getting back to Nationals.
| Pacific South Standings | GPGP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| San Diego SeaLions | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 6 | 31 | 28 |
| FC Tucson Women | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 15 |
| Phoenix Del Sol | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 9 |
| FC Pacific | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 23 | -10 | 9 |
| LA Galaxy San Diego | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 19 | -10 | 9 |
| Strikers FC-South Coast | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 14 | -6 | 7 |
The SeaLions will have home field advantage this weekend, when they host the Western Regional Playoffs at Cathedral Catholic High School. The top four teams from the larger region will play a semi-final and final round of games, with the winner advancing to the National Finals.
Saturday, July 22nd at Game #1: SeaLions vs. Seattle Sounders Women Noon
Saturday, July 22nd at Game #2 Storm vs. Beach FC 2:30 pm
Sunday, July 23rd at 2:00pm FINAL Winner from Game #1 vs Winner Game #2.
Seattle Sounders from the Northwest division come into the weekend with a 6-2 league record with 18 goals for and 8 goals against. Beach FC from the Coastal division finished with a 9-2-1 league record with 22 goals for and 9 goals against. Storm represents the Pacific North Division boasts a 7-0-1 record with 27 goals for and 4 goals against.
The WPSL Final Four is in LA following weekend.
Having attended a few of the SeaLions games, you can expect a high intensity, attack minded team with many current and former college players who bring a very competitive attitude to their play. Come out and support women’s soccer in San Diego this weekend!
To purchase tickets for the Regional games click here.
