By Bill Sheehan
England and Sweden were swept up in World Cup fever this summer when their national teams made long runs in the world's most-watched sporting event. Cal State Fullerton soccer players Atlanta Primus and Amanda Larsson found themselves in the midst of the World Cup revelry.
Primus, a junior from Southampton, Britain, and Larsson, a senior from Hollviken, Sweden, watched the games from their homes and joined in the celebrations. Primus said England's success helped bring the country together.
"I think it's great for English football to see the national side go so far, a real inspiration," she said. "It definitely united the nation, and to be at home during this time was so good. [English manager] Gareth Southgate really achieved something great."
"It's been a party in Sweden the whole summer there, and the weather was great," said Larsson. "I watched every game of the World Cup. And when Sweden beat Mexico [3-0], I can't describe how exciting that was."
Primus, a 5-foot-8 junior forward, and Larsson, a 5-foot-9 senior defender, now are ready to help the Titans make some headlines of their own. The two have returned to California and begun working on strength and conditioning ahead of Fullerton's first day of practice on Aug. 1
The team will make its debut Saturday, Aug. 4, in the intra-team Blue/Orange Scrimmage at Titan Stadium. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. Demian Brown, who begins his 12th year as women's soccer head coach, said Primus and Larsson have contributed to the team in many ways. "Atlanta and Amanda have an outstanding level of poise and maturity on the field. And they have a lot of savvy on the soccer ball," said Brown. "As international players, they add an important element to the program, not just soccer-wise but culturally."
Primus, who is majoring in communications with a concentration in journalism, started nine games and was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshmen Team in 2016. She had a brilliant sophomore season, starting all 22 games and leading the Titans with 20 points on six goals and eight assists.
"Atlanta's soccer IQ is at an incredible level, and it's amazing how she sees the game," said teammate Nano Oronoz, a senior forward.
"She creates a lot of chances for us up front with her attacking and really contributes to our goal scoring. And she has the foot skill to get out of situations."
Brown lists Primus' soccer awareness, creativity and vision as major attributes. Larsson also was named to the conference All-Freshman Team. She started 19 of 21 games as a freshman as Fullerton managed a strong 1.01 goals-against average. But her playing time declined the past two years after the team switched from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation.
"Our system changed, it had nothing to do with her as a player," said Brown. But Fullerton is returning to the 4-4-2 alignment this season, he said, "and this system fits Amanda to a T."
'Super-excited' to get back on the field
With the departure of 10 seniors and the return to a four-defender alignment, Larsson is aiming regain a starting job.
"It was hard for me," she said. "I know what it is like to be on the field. But I played every game this spring, and I'm super-excited coming back for this season."
Her teammate, Oronzo, said Larsson always gives a 100% effort. "Amanda's aggressiveness and her ability to be strong in the back" are a big plus, said Oronzo. "She is not afraid to back down from a challenge."
Larsson said she immediately noticed differences in playing styles when she first arrived at Fullerton. "Here it is go-go-go! It's fast all the time, with an emphasis on running. It's way more physical in Europe."
Primus agrees, saying, "There is much more physical body to body back in England, with a lot more ball work. I'm becoming a more versatile player here because I've worked on my athleticism."
Both said they have enjoyed playing for Brown.
"Demian is a great coach, full of knowledge, and he really brings out the best in his players," said Primus.
"I've really grown as a player because of him," said Larsson. "When he says you've done well, he really means it."
Their paths to Cal State Fullerton had a similar trajectory. Elliott Braund, a former player on the Titan men's soccer team, was a longtime friend of Primus in Britain and pushed her to consider attending Fullerton. A family friend of Larson's, former Titan golfer and fellow Swede Martina Edberg, sold her on the benefits of becoming a Titan student-athlete.
"I really love it here," said Larsson. "The language was a struggle at first. Martina was my roommate my first two years, and she was always helping me. My business classes are really good, and the school coordinates our classes with our sports schedule. California – there is not any other place I would like to live."
Primus, who plans on playing professional soccer before starting a career in sports reporting, also has grown to like the Golden State.
"I love the weather here, but I miss playing football in the rain. Last season, it rained heavily in our game against Utah Valley at Titan Stadium, and it reminded me of playing at home."
From recreational league to national team
Born in Stratford, east London, Primus began playing soccer at age 12 in a recreational league. A couple years later, she joined Chelsea under 15s. She has played for England at the U15, U17 and U19 levels, competed in the European Championships and has won numerous sporting awards.
She is a graduate of Meoncross School in Fareham, Hampshire and also attended Itchen College in Southampton. Her father, Linvoy Primus, had a 16-year profession career as a defender playing for Charlton Athletic, Barnet, Reading and Portsmouth. He competed against stars such as Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry while at Portsmouth.
"Dad was never pushy about football," said Primus, who played tennis before switching to soccer. "He's very knowledgeable. He gives me advice and has helped me become a better player. My mum, Trisha, has been there for me too, driving me to practices and games. And she knows football very well."
The 21-year-old Primus, who talks with her family each day, has an older brother, Nathan, and a younger brother, Cameron. Linvoy Primus works with the Christians in Sports, a British religious charity. He supports Christians in the sports world and gives lectures at churches on weekends. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2015 by Prince William for his services to football and charity in Portsmouth. Atlanta enjoys playing contemporary Christian music on her guitar and has taken a church mission trip to South Africa.
"I love to travel," said Primus, whose family has taken annual trips to Egypt and Cypress. Although her parents have never been to Atlanta, they liked the name well enough to give it to their daughter. She's also called "ATL" by her teammates.
Larsson, 22, began playing soccer as a 6-year-old for FC Hollviken in her coastal hometown in southwest Sweden. At 15, she switched to IF Limhamn Bunkeflo in nearby Malmo and helped the team win the Gothia Cup and Swedish Championship. She is a graduate of ProCivitas School in Malmo. Her father, Torbjorn Larsson, works as a purchasing agent in the food industry and her mother, Camilla Kihlgren, is a flight attendant. She has an older brother and two younger siblings, brother Sigge and sister Lilly.
"My dad is my biggest fan," she said, who talks frequently with her parents. "They try to come out once a semester to see me play," said Larsson, whose aim is to play pro soccer before seeking a career in the business world.
Team bonding in Europe
The two players enjoyed returning to Europe last spring as part of Fullerton's cultural exchange trip. The team played games in Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, going 3-0 and leading in a fourth game before it was halted by a storm. "As important as the games were, the off-the-field experience was more important because it really brought us together," said Primus.
Larson added that "the trip really helped with teambuilding."
Their activities ranged from visiting World War II battlefields and the 101st Airborne Museum in Belgium to participating in clay pigeon shooting and hurling in Ireland. With the European backgrounds, Primus and Larsson served as de facto guides during the journey.
"We're a bit more aware of the European lifestyle, so we answered questions about subjects such as describing food menus and converting clothing sizes at the outlets," said Primus, who made her first visit to Ireland. "Funnily enough, my grandfather on my mother's side was Irish," she said.
"I enjoyed it a lot," said Larson. "Some players hadn't been out of the U.S., and they thought I could understand German being a European. But every country is different."
Now, the team's focus has shifted to the soon-arriving season. "We've had a good spring under our belt and good chemistry after our European trip," said Primus. "A lot of players have been waiting for an opportunity to play and are excited what this season can bring."
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