By: The Archer Roose Team 

The West Hollywood Soccer Club (WHSC) has a long-standing history in Southern California as the premier club soccer club serving the larger Los Angeles LGBTQIA+ soccer community. Initially started by 8 founding players in 1985–they were originally known as the Los Angeles Suns. Now active for 38 years, the nonprofit organization has flourished–making a name for themselves globally in various International Gay and Lesbian Futbol Association (IGLFA) competitions. The West Hollywood Soccer Club’s accolades include winning the Gold in the Gay Games X in Paris in 2018. Most recently, their women’s team took home the gold medal at the 2022 IGLFA International Indoor Championship in Las Vegas.

Last year, the club hosted its inaugural Desert Pride Cup in Palm Springs, CA. For the event, they partnered with the recently formed Angel City Football Club (ACFC)–the professional women’s soccer team based in Los Angeles. “Our friends over at Angel City Football Club were forming their team and at the same time we were building our women’s program,” shares Kenneth Sanchez, VP of WHSC. “Through that we were able to connect and start building a relationship.”

The ACFC’s mission is based in the involvement and love of community–while the WHSC is driven by the ideals of inclusivity. So, there was no denying that a partnership between the organizations made sense. Thus, ACFC became a sponsor cementing their belief and support of the WHSC. The inaugural Desert Pride Cup tournament consisted of 12 registered teams from all around the country set to compete. In fact, one of those 12 teams participating was the ACFC who brought some special guests. “Last year Angel City brought some of the women from the 1999 Women’s World Cup, who played on their team in our tournament. They also had Amanda Cromwell who is a 1996 Olympics Gold Medalist in soccer for the United States,” shares Sanchez. “It was a privilege to meet those ladies.” With such favorable involvement and commitment, the tournament was a success.

The WHSC will be hosting their second annual Desert Pride Cup this coming weekend during Palm Springs Pride 2022. If it is anything like its predecessor, the tournament is slated to be an exciting event. It’s a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to gather for a day filled with fun, friendly competition. WHSC President, Rachel Derrico shares, “I am excited to get together with our old friends and new friends to celebrate a fun and inclusive playing experience for the LGBTQIA+ community–and our allies!” She elaborates, “The stakes and the pressure mount when you make a name for yourself winning championships. I love that as a club, we can play at the second annual Desert Pride Cup and just focus on connecting as a community and enjoying the game we all love together.”

This year Archer Roose wines is happily joining the likes of ACFC as a proud sponsor. Rachel Derrico is elated with the company’s decision to align itself with the club. “Archer [the character] is an empowered woman and world adventurer. The values of fearless curiosity and determination she carries with her and what the brand promotes today–mindfulness, dedication to diversity–are at the center of everything we do for LGBTQIA+ athletes,” says Derrico. “The brand's namesake alone inspires openness to different people, cultures and experiences, aligning perfectly with our mission as a club and the mission of the Desert Pride Cup.”

At Archer Roose we believe in shaking things up and being disruptive–that’s fundamental in our company values and why we bring luxury wine, in cans. That notion extends to using our voice to help the causes that we believe in. We hope our new partnership and support of the West Hollywood Soccer Club will make an impact in furthering their mission to provide members of the LBGTQIA+ community a safe and inviting place to enjoy what they love–the game of soccer.

For updates during the tournament and to learn more about Archer Roose wines and our partners, be sure to follow @archerroosewines, @weareangelcity and @westhollysoccerclub on Instagram.