Blue Heat unveiled in Santa Clarita
City excited with addition of W-League franchise in 2010

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced today the launch of the Santa Clarita Blue Heat W-League team set to begin play in the 2010 season following the transfer of W-League franchise rights from the Ventura County Fusion.
“I am very excited about joining United Soccer Leagues and I look forward to bringing elite women's soccer to Santa Clarita," said team owner Carlos Marroquin, who also owns local soccer shop Planet Soccer. "It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to help bring the highest level of soccer to the families and soccer fans of Santa Clarita as well as the unlimited possibilities and inspiration to the thousands of young soccer players that live here.”
The new team is quickly gathering support from the community, including the city's mayor.
“It is a privilege and an honor for the City of Santa Clarita to be home to the Santa Clarita Blue Heat,” said City of Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste. “Sports tourism is an important focus for the City of Santa Clarita and being home to an elite women's soccer team is a tremendous opportunity for our community," she added.
The club will be coached by Eduardo Zatarain, who was a member of the 1986 Hollywood Kickers team that won the first championship of the Western Soccer Alliance, which grew into the A-League and what is now USL First Division. Also a former striker for the Los Angeles Aztecs during his professional playing career, Zatarain has recently been coaching for the Santa Clarita United Soccer Club.
Zatarain will be assisted by Russell Finch, who recently coached for nearby Arsenal FC, and the team’s Technical Director will be Sergio Salvadori, the director of coaching for Santa Clarita Valley Magic Soccer Club.
A thriving community, the city of Santa Clarita is the fourth largest in Los Angeles County and was recently ranked in the top 20 of Money Magazine’s top 100 places to live. It is located approximately 35 miles northwest of downtown LA.
“We are thrilled to have the Blue Heat in the W-League,” said W-League Director of Operations Melanie Fitzgerald about the franchise acquisition. “The enthusiasm behind the team management and the support that has been shown by the mayor’s office and sports commission are great signs for the future of the team.”