Sol's Aya Miyama checks out her new home

Aya Miyama was introduced to the Home Depot Center on Wednesday morning, and the Los Angeles Sol's newest player appeared pleased by her new home away from home.

Trailed by a half-dozen photographers, the Japanese midfielder took a tour of the stadium where she will make her Women's Professional Soccer debut on March 29 against the Washington Freedom.

This was once one of Mia Hamm's haunts. Now it's Miya-ma's playground.

Coming from Japan to play in the new league was an easy decision, according to the 24-year-old.

"I'm very happy right now," she said. "The reason I came here was to play with the world's top players."

Miyama might rank right up there with them. In 68 appearances for Japan (not 20 as stated in an earlier post), she has scored 19 goals. Two of them came against England at the 2007 Women's World Cup in China.

"Amazing," she said. "I was surprised at how it went."

English media immediately compared her to David Beckham, the two free kicks having curled into the net from quite a distance. That brought giggles from Miyama.

"I don't want to be compared to Beckham," she said.

Miyama said she prefers playing in the center of midfield, a spot where she and Aly Wagner might strike up a useful partnership. She began playing soccer as a child, under the guidance of her father. She played in the 2003 and 2007 Women's World Cups and was a key reason why Japan finished fourth at last year's Beijing Olympics, where it lost to world champion Germany in the bronze medal game.

"It's a big-time signing," Charlie Naimo, the Sol's general manager, said Wednesday. "Aya's not only one of the best young players in the world but one of the best players in the world. She's a very exciting player, super-technical, active, busy. She's going to fit perfectly into the style of play that [Sol Coach] Abner Rogers instills in his teams.

"It's going to be a very entertaining team, and signing a player like Aya guarantees that."

The Sol opens training camp on March 1 at the Home Depot Center. Miyama already knows the layout.

-- Grahame L. Jones

Photo: Japanese international midfielder Aya Miyama is introduced to reporters at Home Depot Center today. Credit: Grahame Jones / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Kari]

Charlie Naimo must look into signing one or both of the best youngsters in the world and by that i mean Sarah Michael and Rita Chikwelu of Nigeria.

These ladies were hot at the FIFA U20 Championship in Chile. Coach Naimo hurry before Boston Breakers and Washington Freedom swipe these gems.

Sol forever !

[Gerry]

Pound for Pound, maybe the BEST player in the world. She is a little energizer bunny, more like a Maradonna than a Beckham.

Her improvement helped lift unfancied Japan to 4th in the Olympics, and only cruel luck deprived them of a medal.

[Branka Z.]

Hi from Japan,

Today I ve met Aya(my husband used to coach her when she was a child,we are family friends).
She looks really happy , and looking forward to go to L.A. as soon as possible.
She is really wonderful girl, we are all proud of her, and hope she will show her best performances with Sol . Sol's fans, wait for her and support her!!!

[GalaxyMike]

I must say that this team is rounding into an impressive collection of talent, an all-star caliber team. This is a great signing, Aya is one of the most impressive womens player today and coupled with Marta, Shannon Boxx and Aly Wagner it should be a very high-powered offense. Along with an improved Galaxy and a good Chivas USA team, there should be great soccer to be seen all summer long at the Home Depot Center. I must confess to really be looking forward to seeing the Sol play, we will be blessed to see the absolute best player in the world in Marta and another great one in Aya. This should be fun...