Photo Credit: PodeRosas
The NWSL is back this weekend and so are we with another edition of Supporters Spotlight. This week, keeping the trend of Angel City FC Supporters Groups going, we are featuring PodeRosas. As you will read about, PodeRosas functions as a collective and the members have provided answers and information in that manner, as a group.
How and when did the group come into existence? What made you all want to start the
group?
PodeRosas is a supporter group for ACFC and, in our opinion, the most progressive & inclusive supporter group in Southern California. Our name is a play on both the words, Power and Roses and we were intentional in choosing it to be in Spanish using a feminine adjective. Of course, we play on both these words to express our strength as well as demanding our flowers while we are alive. PodeRosas was created in the fall of 2021, although a core group of us had been advocating and supporting ACFC’s creation and efforts for a few years. We decided to create a supporter group because we realized that local representation was missing in the other supporter groups. Most of us have deep roots in LA. It’s our home. Therefore, when we talk about building community in our beloved city we are talking from within. Often the city of L.A. and soccer in the US in general perpetuate a culture of white supremacy where BIPOC people are left out and/or marginalized. PodeRosas recognizes this and says nope, let’s try again. While the LA experience is not monolithic, PodeRosas definitely comes from an authentic place
and experience. That’s why we say “Del Barrio, Pal Barrio! For the hood, by the hood!”
Can you share some information about the SG structure? I know you have mentioned the
group is a collective but was wondering if you could talk a little more about that?
We do not have a hierarchy of roles but rather function as a collective where everyone can participate and share in leadership. Everyone who joins is sponsored by someone in the group and must agree with our Mission Statement. In PodeRosas, we are fortunate to have members with various skills, talents, gender identities, and diverse backgrounds. We are likely one of the smaller official SG’s for ACFC, yet, like our name, we are strong and mighty. You see us everywhere now, from the drum section to our Capos leading up front at the games. All of our current leadership found its place by simply wanting to participate and we pride ourselves in throwing our support behind any PodeRosa who wishes to lead.
Could you give a little more info about the group (mission statement, goals, values, etc.)?
We do have a Mission Statement, which we created collectively. Our love and dedication to uncompromised joy through community care and social justice has and is key when it comes to the healing power of community, which are values we hold closely. PodeRosas is a community. We have so many wonderful people: women, non-binary, and gender non-confirming folks, young and young at heart, quiet and bold leaders that allows us to come together to get things done. The level of selflessness and genuine care for others is inspiring.
PodeRosas Mission Statement – English PodeRosas Mission Statement – Spanish
There has been a push to bring a women’s soccer team to LA for quite some time. What does
it mean to members of the group to not only have a team but have a team with this level of
thought and investment in it?
Angel City is a dream come true. Many PodeRosas grew up playing soccer, several more watched and cheered for local and international teams. The love for soccer is huge in our communities. Yet, for many of us, we were discouraged from further play due to misogyny and lack of affordability and access for inner-city children in underserved communities. Women have fought hard to be recognized in the sports realm, and soccer seems to be leading the way to some form of equality. Seeing little girls in the stands cheering for women is amazing, and seeing women competing on the field builds strength and pride in adults as well.
What do you love most about the team?
Supporting Angel City feels a bit like redemption. When we see little girls in a packed stadium at The Banc, full of families that represent the City, all there to cheer on these amazing women players, we are deeply moved. Many of us tear up at every game. For children, this is normal, and that’s a beautiful thing.
When we win, not only do we win as a club but as a community. We fly together; we experience the same game together, either on the pitch or in the stands. When we don’t win, our lucha (fight) persists. “La lucha sigue,” is a commitment not a slogan. Celebrating womxn’s sports, specifically with ACFC, reflects how we want to be present and how we show up for our club, for each other, and the world.
What do you love most about being in a Supporters Group?
For one thing, we have made a conscious and intentional decision to lead in joy and resistance.
PodeRosas’ capos & our supporter culture is visibly and palpably different from others, especially the men’s. As women of color, femmes, and all those marginalized, we are generally more courageous because we have to be. The world does not function in our favor (hello patriarchy). This coupled with the fact that we’re in LA (bustling city, generally liberal with a mix of BIPOC folx) makes for capos and a supporter culture that is loud and willing to use the platform to push back on the status quo or express dissent. This is important to us because it’s a little visible gesture of solidarity that sets the tone for who we are and what we’re about.
Where can people find you before games and how do they join you during the game?
PodeRosas usually set up for tailgates at Christmas Tree Lane, grass area outside the stadium, look for our Pink Power Ranger banner. Inside The Banc, we set up right below the drums in the middle section of the supporter section. Listen for our cowbells! We usually take a PRIDE picture out by the northeast entrance behind the Los Angeles sign at minute 7 of halftime. Everyone is welcomed to join us out in the tailgate or in the stands.
Anything you want to plug?
PodeRosas has deep roots in the community and as such, we are often involved in various efforts that uplift one another. Currently, we are supporting a local effort to end period poverty for local youth. We will be collecting hygiene products during our tailgate on 7/30.
PodeRosas can be contacted/found on social media at the following links. Twitter: https://twitter.com/poderosas_acfc, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poderosas_acfc/ and via email at poderosasacfc
You can catch up with PodeRosas at the next Angel City home game vs OL Reign TONIGHT July 30th 7:30pm PT at the Banc of California Stadium in LA and on Paramount+
