The week is young, but this is one of the funnier soccer-related press releases I’ve seen lately (and one of the briefest) from the PR staff of WPS team L.A. Sol in the wake of its inaugural game Sunday in Carson –

Attention media:

Please note that the team name Los Angeles Sol should be pronounced like “Soul” or “Sole” not “Saul.”

Thanks

Leave it to a bunch of gringos to mispronounce a three-letter word and replace it with the name of someone’s Jewish grandfather, (as one Jewish media colleague of mine observed). “Sol” means “sun” in Spanish, BTW.

The culprits were apparently several media outlets including the play by play team on national television.

I spoke with Warren Olney today about the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer game in Carson Sunday between the Sol and Washington Freedom.

Listen here.

The bit with me is the last 15 minutes or so of the program if you don’t want to listen to a discussion of “Public Health, Childhood Vaccines and Autism.”

Photos by Steve McCrank

It was a different audience from the average Galaxy game.

Game story.

Here’s the take of columnist Jill Painter.

Photo gallery.

Here’s a sampling of the reaction to the game.

Washington Freedom Coach Jim Gabarra on the atmosphere:

“It was great; obviously a world class stadium. I was very pleased with the product on the field. From my experience, the level of play was better than that of the WUSA inaugural game.”

Sol Coach Abner Rogers’ assessment of the game:

“To open up the inaugural season and come out with a victory is very pleasing. There were times when we played very well, but fitness was a bit of an issue for both teams, as you could see. It is only going to get better. I was definitely happy. We dodged a few bullets; even though we came out with a good victory, it was very beneficial.”

Sol midfielder Shannon Boxx on the atmosphere surrounding the game:

“People are excited. They had a fun time. It was an exciting match both ways. People have to realize it’s just going to get better. This is just our first game. We’re going to get better as a team. D.C. is going to get better as a team.”

Abby Wambach on how the Freedom are coalescing:

“We’re still trying to learn about each other. It’s going to take time. We have a good coaching staff in place that is not freaking out. We have experienced players on the field that aren’t freaking out. We just have to take it one step at a time. And we might have to suffer some losses and learn some tough lessons. Obviously, one of our main objectives today was to shut Marta down and I think we did a really good job of it.”

On how the WPS compares with the WUSA:

“Apples to oranges. Different time, different players, different feel. The WUSA was great for what that was worth; it was a stepping stone to where we are now. We have our own professional league again and more than anything that is the most important thing.”

On how it feels to play competitive soccer again:

“I feel like a little kid, like I’m learning for the first time again. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t played on a consistent basis for eight and a half months I just feel so blessed to be out here – to be able to run around and get sweaty – to play with people that I care about.”

On the atmosphere:

“It exceeded my expectations; I didn’t think there would be this many people here. I think the Sol put on a great game, a great venue. Fortunately for them they came out with a win and it will probably keep some people coming back to this venue.”

Washington Freedom goalkeeper Briana Scurry on how the team played in only its third full game together:

“We’re still getting to know each other and figure out how each other plays, tendencies and whatnot, but I thought we played pretty well considering the short notice. It was tough for both teams to play a week earlier (than other WPS teams), but it was good in the sense that now we have a game we can look at and say ‘what do we need to work at’ for the next game.”

Sol 2 Freedom 0

It was more than a little disjointed at times and occasionally it seemed like the vast expanse of Home Depot Center turf was swallowing up the 22 players, but an announced 14,832 saw the Sol win the first-ever WPS game Sunday at Home Depot Center.

Camille Abily sealed the win in the 87th minute from an assist by Marta after the Freedom were caught pressing forward for the equalizer.

The closest the Freedom came to a goal was in the 64th minute when Lori Lindsey hit the post. The Freedom had just two shots on target the whole game (the Sol had eight).

Complete game stats.

More after the post-game press conference.

It’s 1-0 Sol.

Nothing spectacular from either team, but a good solid start for the Sol – and league.

The Sol had the better of the attacking play, with the Freedom prompting just two saves from Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc.

Marta has looked a little isolated up front at times though.

“Clearly the level of play is extremely high and I hope the fans are having a good time, too,” Commissioner Tonya Antonucci said at half time in the press box. “This crowd is definitely something that’s exceeded my expectations.”

Allison Faulk scored the first-ever WPS goal from a sixth minute header off a Aya Miyama free kick.

There’s more than 10,000 here, according to Twittering Sol GM Charlie Naimo.

The Sol lineup: goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, defenders Kendall Fletcher, Allison Faulk, Bittney Bock, Stephanie Coxx; midfielders Aya Miyama, captain Shannon Boxx, Camille Abily, Manya Makoski, Han Duan, marta.

The Freedom has Briana Scurry in goal, U.S. international Cat Whitehill in defense and Abby Wambach up front.

Aly Wagner has Twittered ladies and gentlemen: “Not a bad start!”

Updated: The Twittering is coming thick and fast – Wagner’s so nervous she “can’t even eat my sandwich that I made n brought…not so much a fan of stadium food…no offense oscar meyer.”

Updated (43rd minute): “Certainly not a clinic for the final pass but nice to have a lead,” said GM Naimo.

Responded Wagner: “That’s cause I’m on the bench mr. Gm sir!!”