Barry Ritson on the WPSL Coastal Conference
The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is an independent highly competitive national league — in fact, it is the largest women’s soccer league in the world. As the 2017 WPSL season is approaching playoffs, SoccerToday is taking a look at the top women’s clubs competing in each WPSL region.
WPSL Soccer News: The 2017 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) season enters the final stretch as playoffs approach in the coming weeks. Led by WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli, the WPSL is known around the planet for championing women’s soccer.
Boasting the highest number of women owners in any amateur sports league, the WPSL is also dedicated to growing the game for youth players and the Coastal Conference of the West Division consists of several competitors with youth soccer club programs serving as the original foundation.
The benefits of having an option for youth soccer players who “graduate” from their youth soccer clubs are numerous — and often provide a valuable opportunity for college soccer players to play while home for the summer.
These 7 WPSL women’s soccer clubs provide aspiring female soccer players the opportunity to experience a higher level of play.
Barry Ritson serves as head coach of LA Premier FC as well as Regional Commissioner of the WPSL Coastal Conference.
Beach FC sits atop the conference with 25 points, while Legends FC is seven points behind with a game in hand.
| Coastal Conference Standing as of July 10, 2017 0 | GP0 | W0 | L0 | T0 | GF0 | GA0 | GD0 | PTS0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Futbol Club | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 12 | 25 |
| Legends FC | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 28 | 15 | 13 | 18 |
| Pateadores | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 15 |
| SoCal FC | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 23 | 21 | 2 | 14 |
| L.A. Villa F.C. | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 13 |
| L.A. Premier FC | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 12 |
| Fram Ajax |
SoccerToday spoke with Ritson on the competitiveness of the 2017 season and the level of play in the conference.
Diane Scavuzzo: As the Regional Commissioner Coastal, can you tell us who has made an impact this season?
Barry Ritson: From a team standpoint, this season has been dominated by Beach FC.
The Beach FC team consists of players with professional experience such as Shawna Gordon and other top college players — all coming together under the tutelage of a very good staff.
This team set the bar highest in terms of attractive soccer and players who are a joy to watch.
Beach FC will be tough to beat as they aspire to attain another National Championship.
Diane Scavuzzo: How competitive is the league in your area?
Barry Ritson: I believe our conference is the toughest in the country. The level of players competing in the Coastal Conference is extremely high. As you can see from this year’s results, anyone can beat anyone. That’s the sign of a very competitive league.
Diane Scavuzzo: What can you tell us about the teams in your Region?
Barry Ritson: The league is diverse in many ways. Beach FC, LA Premier FC, Legends FC, Fram Ajax and Pateadores are all youth soccer clubs that are using this to expose their youth players to a higher level of play. Four out of those five have been announced as US Soccer Development Academy clubs, which is a testament to their organization, structure, and history of producing excellent players.
SoCal FC is a traditional powerhouse that has found this season difficult due to the youth clubs setting a new standard.
The teams fielded by L.A. Villa FC are always well coached with some outstanding players — and, over the course of the last few seasons, have made real strides in being a contender at the top of our division.
Diane Scavuzzo: Lastly, who is the “most” professional in your region? Whose game day is the best? Or among the best?
Barry Ritson: I believe structure and facilities play a big part in this.
We had the pleasure of hosting games within the Legends Showcase at the fantastic Silverlakes Complex in Norco, CA, — it was a huge success. Legends did a fantastic job of hosting this event. And, the youth clubs all have a good support system from their own youth kids, which is really cool to see as well.
