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As the excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States next month, City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon is honoring some of the star soccer players to come out of the Tri-Valley.
The artistic panels around the outdoor shopping center depict professional players who are alumni of the Ballistic United, Mustang Soccer and San Ramon FC youth soccer clubs, as well as the key figures in the Bay FC from the National Women’s Soccer League. The new installation will be celebrated at the “Homegrown Pros” event next weekend.
“City Center continues to serve as a destination that brings the community together, and the ‘Homegrown Pros’ installation brings that spirit to life in a meaningful way,” Jeff Dodd, senior vice president of retail at City Center Bishop Ranch, told the Pleasanton Weekly on Tuesday.
“The athletes featured in our latest ‘Slate Program’ grew up in this community, developed their talents here and now compete on the world’s largest stages, and we’re proud to recognize their journeys and the local clubs that supported them along the way,” Dodd said.
Among those featured in the panel installation and scheduled to be a headliner in-person at the celebration is retired San Jose Earthquakes star and former Danville Mustangs player Chris Wondolowski, who is coming off his induction in the National Soccer Hall of Fame last Friday in Frisco, Texas.
Wondolowski, who is the all-time leading goal scorer in Major League Soccer history, was among six former men’s and women’s players in the Class of 2026 – including fellow Tri-Valley native Kevin Crow, an Amador Valley High School alumnus who earned caps for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team in the 1980s and played in indoor and outdoor pro leagues.
Joining Wondolowski at the event in San Ramon will be members of Bay FC’s Founding Four, who will hold a Q&A for club players. The celebration will also feature selfie stations with replica FIFA World Cup trophies, photo opportunities and a soccer shooting contest. City Center plans to make donations to local soccer organizations as well.
“Homegrown Pros: A World Cup Celebration” is set for 2-4 p.m. next Sunday (May 17) at City Center, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road. The men’s FIFA World Cup is set to run from June 11-19 in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Depicted in the panels are former Mustangs Wondolowski, Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC), JT Marcinkowski (LA Galaxy), Cam Cilley (St. Louis City), and Kaylie Collins (Washington Spirit); Ballistic United alumni Cade Cowell (Liga MX Guadalajara) and Shane de Flores (drafted by Chicago Fire); San Ramon FC alumni Emrah Klimenta (Las Vegas Lights) and Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak (former World Cup and Olympic champion); and Bay City FC Founding Four Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner.
