The Greater Los Angeles area is spoiled for choice of soccer clubs, at every level, for players to pick to play for - why would they play for Woves FC? Why was the club founded, what was the mission and have you stuck to it?
L.A. Wolves FC is a charter member of the UPSL and have had a winning history since the club’s start in 2014. The Wolves won the UPSL National Championship in 2017 and had a coinciding run in the USASA National Amateur Cup the same year. We lost, 1-0 in OT, to the famous Lansdowne Boys in the semifinals at Milwaukee Bavarian Park, before finishing 3rd place overall. L.A. Wolves also have had great runs in the U.S. Open Cup, twice going to the Third Round and even defeating OC Blues (USL) in a dramatic OT win in 2016. We think our success speaks to potential players.

There's a great deal of heritage in the club's name; did you intentionally choose Wolves to make that connection to the 1967-68 team? Since your founding, have any former players, coaches, or fans contacted you to share their stories?
In 1967, the Wolves were the first pro soccer team in Los Angeles, and they played at the Coliseum. Chick Hearn was the voice of the L.A. Wolves when they played in the North American Soccer League. When the league folded in ’69, the team folded as well, and basically the name and the club went dormant. We revitalized the brand in what was really a tip-of-the-hat to the heritage that was started in the ‘60s, and as a nod to the history of professional soccer in Los Angeles. It is a brand that players love, and it is a good name from a marketing standpoint. We stuck with a color scheme of the original uniforms, a unique orange blend, so everything from the look and the feel, we’ve tried to capture that since the inception of L.A. Wolves FC.

As a member of the UPSL, LA Wolves can qualify for the US Open Cup; is making a run in the Cup a goal of the organization? Or is the travel and extra matches a burden?
Playing in the U.S. Open Cup is always a priority for the club. We’ve participated in the qualifying rounds every year since 2015. The matches are some of the most competitive of our player’s lives, and so that part is a pleasure. The potential travel impact of a U.S. Open Cup run has yet to have an effect on our club, but it is a factor we are cognizant of.

We've seen LA Force and Cal United Strikers join the ranks of NISA to pursue professional-level soccer. With professionalism a stated goal of Wolves FC early on, is that still a goal and do you see changing leagues as the only way to do that?
L.A. Wolves FC was formed as a platform for young players to showcase their skills in a competitive environment. Everything from proper coaching to proper facilities have been the focus of the club since its inception, and we’ve produced some great professional players over the years that have gone on to play for clubs in higher tiers. We have no intention of changing our current model nor our current league affiliation.

Have any players or coaches moved on from the Lobos to play or coach in MLS or even abroad? Do you have any players in your current setup who might have come from a higher level to recover their fitness or extend their careers?
2018: Gabe Robinson (LV Lights), Kevin Garcia-Lopez (LV Lights), Ikaika Fuerte (Cal United FC), Miguel Sanchez (Cal United FC); 2019: Dmitri Zhuravlev (FC Linkoping City); 2020: Philip Hephzibah (The New Saints FC)

What's next for LA Wolves? What can we hope to see in 2021 and beyond?
A lot of it is subject to how the pandemic plays out. The club is currently working behind the scenes on integrating a MircoStadium and facilities plan to support operations. The club has truly been “homeless” since its start, renting out facilities and playing in a number of different cities throughout Southern California. This has made it very difficult to establish a fan base and a core sponsorship base. So right now, the core focus is on securing the proper financing for MircoStadium development so the club can have its own home.

Find out more about LA Wolves FC HERE
Follow LA Wolves FC on Facebook HERE