El Paso team to join United Women’s Soccer League

El Paso will soon have another professional soccer team to root for.

The city will have a team represented in the United Women’s Soccer League.

The league currently has 27 teams across the country, and El Paso will soon join them.

The team is owned and operated by Advanced Soccer Academy with Melissa Lopez serving as the team’s general manager.

It was a process that took some time and effort to carry out.

“We had to have a platform and a structure and all of that has been ongoing for three years,” Lopez said.

As soon as word got out that a team was coming to El Paso, interest grew and this Friday there will be an open tryout at Montwood High School.

“We’ve actually been getting some calls from around the region,” Lopez said. “It’s going to be really exciting to see the level of talent that El Paso has been waiting for.”

Players will consist of current or former college players, as well as professional soccer players.

The team’s schedule is still being finalized and the team could begin play in the first week of June.

Next year, the team will play their home games at the Socorro Student Activities Complex.

Nash Camarillo is hoping to make the team and was excited to learn that a professional women’s team was coming to El Paso.

The Socorro High School graduate played soccer in college, but had to give it up after she became pregnant.

The 21-year-old is happy to be getting a second chance.

“I’m super excited and I know there’s many other girls who should be excited,” Camarillo said. “They should be willing to come out and take a chance so we can prove to El Paso that not just men have the capability of playing at a high level of soccer, girls can do it too.”

Playing in front of her friends and family is also a motivation for Camarillo.

“I have my child and he’s going to be able to see me play, my husband, my family. It’s going to be the best feeling ever if I do make it,” Camarillo said.

The open tryouts are Friday, May 11th at Montwood High School at 5 p.m.

Lopez tells ABC-7 that 30 players will make the team.