This Is the Los Angeles Sol: Katie Larkin

Part 14 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2009 Los Angeles Sol.

Every now and then, when you watch a broadcast of a soccer game, you will hear this term: "super sub." It's an abbreviation of "super substitute."

It's that one player that has the capability of being clutch when you need that game-winner, but as a manager, you wait until the right time late in the match to bring him or her in.

Katie Larkin of the Los Angeles Sol is your example of the "super sub."

A citizen of the state of Utah and a proud Brigham Young University graduate, her success playing for the Cougars and the US youth national team has made Larkin a potent weapon at Abner Rogers' disposal.

Katie Larkin was born on March 19, 1987 in Draper, Utah. Located 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, Draper is a small town of 25,220 that saw significant growth in the 1990s.

Near Point of the Mountain lies the Utah State Prison, where Gary Gilmore's execution took place in 1977. On Traverse Ridge, the strong winds make for excellent hang-gliding.

As a place of business, Draper is home to eBay's customer service center, PGP Corporation's tech call center, Musician's Friend's call center, and 1-800 Contact's corporate headquarters. 

Talk about making the call.

But if you ask Larkin if she has made the call herself to be one of the best female football players to practice her trade in the WPS, you can bet by the blood of Joseph Smith that she has.

In her youth, Larkin was a member of the Celtic Storm, a club that won titles from 2001 through 2004. During 2000, 2002, and 2005, Larkin was named team captain, and was an instrumental part in the Storm's success.

Seven miles up Interstate 15 is the town of Sandy, Utah. In 2006, Rio Tinto Stadium was constructed for Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake. However, the town of 88,418 already had a soccer powerhouse in Alta High School.

The Alta Lady Hawks, coached by Lee Mitchell, were fortunate enough to take advantage of Larkin's talents. During her stint as a member of the 2000-2004 Lady Hawk teams, Larkin was named an NSCAA All-American in 2003 and 2004. In Larkin's senior season, she was named NSCAA High School State Player of the Year. 

Alta finished 18th nationally in Larkin's final season, but not before garnering titles in 2002 and 2004 along with a third place finish her junior year.

As Katie Larkin graduated from Alta High, she would leave the school with the records for most career assists and most goals in a single season. 

Brigham Young University women's soccer head coach Jennifer Rockwood took notice of this dazzling debonaire from Draper, and as Larkin answered the call to be a Cougar, the people in Provo were in for a real treat.

During Larkin's freshman season, she was named to the All-Mountain West Conference first team, NSCAA/adidas All-West First Team, and Soccer Buzz West Region Freshman Team. It was a sign of things to come.

In Larkin's sophomore season, she earned Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week honors, along with other recognition by Soccer Buzz and Soccer Times on September 18, 2006 for her heroics against Pacific and Utah State.

Larkin was once again named to the All-MWC First Team, as well as the All-America Third Team by the NSCAA/adidas, Soccer America, and Soccer Buzz.

The 2007 season will go down as Larkin's most prolific to date as a Cougar. She earned third-team All America honors by NSCAA/adidas and Soccer Buzz, earned first-team All-MWC honors, was named a Hermann Trophy candidate before the season started, and was named to the 2007 MWC All-Tournament Team.

That year, BYU would win the Mountain West Conference championship

In Larkin's final year, she won Female Athlete of the Year and Female Crowd Pleaser honors at the Y Awards in Provo while leading the team in shots (66), shots on goal (35), goals scored (11), and points earned (23).

Larkin finished her career at Brigham Young University with 37 goals, 17 assists, and 91 points in 86 appearances for the Cougars.

As a member of the USA Under-23 national team, Larkin answered the call once again. She came off the bench to take part in a pair of matches in La Manga, Spain. In those two games, the USA would beat Norway 1-0 and England 3-0.

Abner Rogers of the Los Angeles Sol knew that Larkin had the potential to be the spark plug for an already talented roster of players. So LA selected Larkin at the 19th overall draft pick in the WPS draft.

And like the call centers in Draper that answer to the needs of their customers, you can be sure that Katie Larkin will answer the call yet again.

Get the phone, Super Sol Sub No. 18.

It's the City of Angels, and they want you to come to the Home Depot Center, and join Marta and company in their mission—should you accept it—of winning a championship for Los Angeles.