This Is the Los Angeles Sol: Lisa Sari

Part 15 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2009 Los Angeles Sol.

Mention the phrase "Portland Pilots" to any college soccer fan here in the States, and he or she may recall memories of the 2005 women's team, and the championship they won, sparking celebrations in the Rose City. 

And the follower may start a little conversation that goes along these lines: 

"Do you know Lisa Sari?" 
"The same Lisa Sari that's playing for the Los Angeles Sol?"
"Yep. She was on that championship team. Nowadays, she is also an assistant coach at the school. So she still hangs around here."
"No way! Are you kidding?"
"Son, I kid you not."

You can fill in the rest from there.

Sari hails from the soccer hotbed that is the Northwest, and her role as a supporting cast member has paid dividends on the pitch.

When you ask someone in the Northwest where Sari was born, you may be asked, "Do you know Green Day."

That's because Sari was born on Oct. 18, 1984 in Longview, Wash.

A club in this small town of 35,570 was the inspiration for the band's song of the same name. It was not ‌inspired by R.A. Long High School, as the popular misconception claims.

A strong presence at midfield for the Pilots, then coached by the late Clive Charles and now by Bill Irwin, Sari comprised a 78-11-7 record, scoring ten goals and 15 assists.

During her freshman season, Sari helped the Pilots reach the third round of the NCAA tournament in 2003. In 2004, the Pilots reached the quarterfinals.

After going undefeated en route to the 2005 championship with the Pilots, Sari earned All-West Coast Conference honors for consecutive seasons as a senior in 2006. In her final year, the Pilots would reach the quarterfinals.

Aspiring female footballers near The Bluff don't need to look too far for their motivation.

Like Karina LeBlanc and Martina Franko, Sari also has a knack for coaching the game. A "D" coaching license holder, Sari has worked for FC Portland, a youth side, as well as the university's soccer camps over the past decade.

As an international player, Sari trained with the USA U-21 National Team in 2006 and the Under-23 National Team in 2007.

And if Green Day's music wasn't enough to make you think of the Sol's No. 12, perhaps a little Bobby Troup standard will.

This year, Sari was selected as the 66th pick overall by the Los Angeles Sol in the WPS Draft.

A proven winner, a student and teacher of her sport, and a team player looking to get her kicks...playing the beautiful game with the best in the world.

That's Lisa Sari. And her reputation is not a myth.