Starting from scratch, a pair of twins went all in to create the Albuquerque Alliance FC, not just for a place to play, but also for a way to give to their community and bring the talented women of ABQ together to thrive. We reached out to the women in watermelon and turquoise and co-founder Leila Chapa took the time to tell us all about their endeavor.

How did the Albuquerque Alliance FC get started? What’s the story?
Albuquerque Alliance was founded in 2024 by twin sisters and college club soccer players Leila and Paloma Chapa during their senior year of college. The team’s mission was to give local talented women athletes, of varying soccer backgrounds, the opportunity to play in high-level competition and represent New Mexico at the regional level. The idea of starting a team from scratch was a bit daunting at first because of everything that has to fall into place to run a successful team and it remained a hypothetical idea until the spring, when they figured out a logo and name after several different versions. At that point, the logo had no players, coach or money to its name and the season was only a month away.

In mid April, the WPSL league commissioner called the Chapas to see if they could have a legitimate team set up with players, funding and uniforms in time for the season. Everything sounded too exciting to say no, so they officially committed as a new team in the league. They paid the league fee using funds saved up from privately training a youth soccer player every week for over a year and they created the club Instagram page to advertise tryouts.

The Owner of the Santa Fe Gloom professional futsal team, David Fresquez, provided guidance along the way since he too had recently started his team from scratch. Before tryouts, the team managed to secure two sponsors and a head coach after multiple cold calls, emails and Instagram DMs. The club’s first sponsors were Sore No More, a muscle pain relief cream, and Albukirky Seasonings, a local spice and sauce company. After a few days, the club sparked interest from local players currently playing college out of state, along with city league players and varsity high school athletes. Over 20 highly skilled players attended tryouts, and by the start of the season, the first ABQ Alliance squad was formed, with head coach Troy Wheeler, assistant coach Dakota Duran and first captains, Galicia Monforte and Victoria Hines. Hines scored Alliance’s first goal in the team’s first game where they sealed their first win.

Tell us about your badge and colors – how does it connect to the community?
The pink mountains on the badge represent Albuquerque’s Sandia Mountains which turn a vivid watermelon color during sunset. Sandia translates to watermelon in the Spanish language. The turquoise represents New Mexico’s blue skies and the color of the state gem, which is turquoise. Black is the third color, which is used as an accent color to outline the green chiles — New Mexico’s famous food — at the bottom of the crest, and serves as the away kit color.

With so many league options nowadays, what league do you play in and why did you pick that one?
Albuquerque Alliance plays in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, the largest women’s soccer league in the world, because there is regional competition available. Other national amateur leagues don’t have women’s teams in the southwestern U.S yet. Alliance competes in the WPSL DII, which is a more affordable division that still offers high-level competition, with fewer venue requirements and fees.

Many clubs choose to sell hats, scarves or replica kits - how does your club keep the lights on and cover its league costs?
ABQ Alliance runs on sponsorships, youth camps, fundraisers, merch sales, community support and tries to figure out other ways through networking with other teams and holding collaborative fundraising events. The best way for interested people to support the club is through buying merchandise and signing up for youth camps. Showing support at games is also a great way to support the club by spreading awareness.

How did you finish last year? What are the goals for your next season?
Alliance finished undefeated in their first season in 2024. Hines scored the first goal for the club, and Alliance also had two other sets of twins join the team in addition to the Chapas: Mady and Mary Za, and Ainsley and Sierra Martin, both of whom are from Albuquerque and were dynamic goal-scoring duos in 2024. The Za’s play Division 1 soccer at Idaho State University and played WPSL Division I this season for Arlington VA Soccer where Mary was selected for the best XI of the WPSL Atlantic conference.

This year, Alliance had another strong season with a squad of both new and original players from various backgrounds showcasing their talent and finishing in the top four out of 10 teams in the conference of teams from Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. Clarissa Ramirez, the team’s original goalkeeper, returned for a second season and continued in her starting role, with standout performances—including a full shutout. The team was captained by the OG Galicia Monforte, and recent high school graduate Gabriella Perez. The Martin twins continued to be a goal-scoring force in the 2025 season, and for next season, Alliance plans to continue to be a high performing and competitive team that still offers an inclusive environment and helps players reach their full potential to showcase New Mexico’s talent in women’s soccer. The club also aims to grow its funding sources so it can afford to secure venues and other essential needs

How do you participate in, or give back to your community?
Alliance participates in the soccer community by supporting the other local men’s semi-pro teams that are on a similar journey and participating in local events aimed at strengthening New Mexico’s semi-pro soccer community. The club also has a mission to create opportunities for young girls to be involved in Albuquerque women’s pro soccer through camps and clinics. Parents are happy to take their daughters to Albuquerque Alliance games as they know the team will be an outlet for girls to play semi-pro soccer starting at the high school age.

If there were one or two teams, within a 100 miles of you, to play a friendly against – who would you play and why?
Alliance would love the opportunity to play a friendly against FC Juarez to create an “international friendly” similar to New Mexico United, that could get local soccer fans excited and help the club establish a connection with soccer in Mexico. Alliance would also love the opportunity to play a friendly with the University of New Mexico Lobos women’s soccer team and build a relationship with the Lobos so Alliance can be an avenue for UNM’s talented athletes to play WPSL soccer.

Follow the Albuquerque Alliance FC and give them a follow on Instagram HERE