SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane’s first professional women’s soccer team is gearing up for their first game in two weeks.
The USL Super League president Amanda Vandervort stopped by Union Stadium Friday to chat with players and coaches ahead of the home opener.
Vandervort said the league is committed to creating more opportunities for women to play professionally as well as give underserved women’s sports fans access to high quality soccer.
“The size of your city doesn’t dictate the size of your fandom,” she said. “We believe the fans here are equally as passionate as the fans in all the other cities across this country and we’re here to deliver for them.”
Players for Zephyr said they are ready to kick off the season. It’s even more special for the members of the team from the Northwest.
Getting to play closer to home gives the players more chances to set up camps at local high schools and inspire the next generation of professional women’s soccer players.
“I think it’s just exciting to show that it’s here now and these girls that are from the Tri Cities have something to look forward to,” said Zephyr defender Haley Thomas. ‘I think it’s amazing and I’m really excited for it.”
Both the players and Vandervort said they’re already seeing support from fans and the community. The league hopes it can capitalize on the growing interest in women’s sports.
“They’re building a really strong foundation for it to just benefit in the years and years to come. Maybe not even while I’m still playing the game, but hopefully for many years after that too,” said defender Alyssa Bourgeois.
The Zephyr’s first game will be against Fort Lauderdale United on August 17 at 6 p.m. at ONE Spokane Stadium. You can purchase tickets for the game on the Zephyr’s website.
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