Newcomers and youth will be a presence Saturday night, when the San Diego Wave play their home opener against the Utah Royals. Several players obtained in recent months have joined the Kailen Sheridan- and Delphine Carrasco-led core, as the fourth-year National Women’s Soccer League club reboots following the departure of stars Naomi Girma, Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw. Gia Gorley, a 22-year-old arrival from Germany’s top league, scored in her Wave debut last week. Another newcomer, French midfielder Kenza Dali, 33, led the Wave in touches, passes and completed passes during the 1-1 tie at Angel City FC. Teenager Trinity Armstrong made her Wave debut, too, in the 1-1 draw. As a college freshman last year, the center back helped North Carolina win the national title, never missing a start. Last fall, Armstrong was a teammate of Wave players Melanie Barcenas and Kimmi Ascanio as the United States won a bronze medal at the Under-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic. Deep into the Wave’s game last week, coach Jonas Eidevall, a newcomer himself, put in the three 17-year-olds. Armstrong, who entered in the final minute, answered several questions in a recent chat. She’s already a big fan of San Diego and the local soccer vibe. How did you end up with the Wave? A: Honestly, it was a very quick process. Whenever I first decided this could be an option for me to go pro with San Diego, it was during my NCAA playoffs with UNC. … It was a little stressful, but it was very exciting, just to be able to have the opportunity that I was having at the moment – trying to navigate winning a national championship while planning my future. What did you know about the Wave and San Diego? A: I heard more about the Wave (than any other NWSL team). On the media, I saw them all over the place. I knew Mel and Kimmi were also here. I’ve heard from their experiences here. … so it was cool to have them here and to see them and know that I could potentially be playing with them. On top of that, I heard the fans are super energetic and super exciting to see in person. You got to know Melanie and Kimmi through youth soccer, right? A: Yeah — so I knew Kimmi a lot longer than Mel. Mel was always in the older age groups, and then she went down to U-17s for CONCACAF and World Cup. But, Kimmi and I, we’ve basically known each other for probably three years now. I just knew them from the national team pools. When you were in North Carolina, did you see any of the Wave’s broadcasts? A: I did. I watched them toward the beginning of their season. Then, things kind of got hectic with traveling and my own soccer stuff. Did you enjoy watching Naomi Girma? You two play the same position. A: Yes, I did. Everybody calls her the Secretary of Defense. It totally encapsulates what she is as a person. And, seeing her on the field, no one can get through her. It was very motivating and inspiring to be able to watch her and … be like a good role model to follow for my own position. Even though you are your own person, what are your thoughts on playing for Girma’s former team at center back? A: I know that she went to Chelsea with an amazing opportunity. It would be amazing to play with her. Now that I’m in this role and in this spot, of course I want to build off what she left at Wave. Especially because it was such a great legacy. So, I want to build off of that and kind of put my own spin to it. Because, yes, I am my own person, but she was such a great role model and someone to look up to as a center back. Did you learn soccer from your mom, who played defensive midfielder for the University of Kentucky and holds a coaching license? A: Yes. Funny story: I didn’t know she played soccer until I was 8. But I started playing soccer when I was 3 years old. So I was, like, (playing) in all the different sports. She wanted me to choose my own sport outside of herself so I could have my own identity. But then I just ended up choosing soccer. And then, once I did choose soccer, she told me about it. She taught me all the basic things, and I know genetically I got a lot of stuff from her as well. You have a fascination with the number three, it would appear. A: Yes. So, Trinity means three. I’m a Christian. So that’s really big for my faith — Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I also see 3, 3, 3 every single day. I see (a logo) on hats, I see it on shirts, I see it on TikTok, Instagram, wherever you name it, every single day I see it… And then I also started soccer when I was 3. If you want to get technical, I have three syllables in my name. And you’re the third of how many children? Thoughts on Snapdragon Stadium? A: It’s absolutely amazing. … I actually got to catch an SDFC game (in its home opener, before a capacity crowd). The environment and atmosphere was incredible. It was really sweet to see. It was really, really cool. And, it’s huge. So, I’m really, really excited to play in the stadium. Have you been able to get out and see San Diego? A: First off, I don’t think I ever want to leave this place. When I first got here, I was first in an Airbnb, and it was a five-minute walk to the beach, and it was absolutely beautiful. The weather here is amazing. There are so many great things about this place, and it’s very much like a paradise. I could see myself being here for a very, very long time. Being from Frisco, Texas, did you get to know Jaedyn Shaw? A: Yes, I did. I got to play with her — not in actual games, but we would train against each other. She’s an amazing player. It was always really fun to go up against her. Because the majority of the time, she would be an 8-10, attacking midfielder. And I was a center back, so she would end up going against me. It was really cool to be able to compete against her. What are your expectations for the team and yourself this year? A: The main thing is, for the Wave, it’s a rebuild, but in a very positive way. All the girls have been really supportive and very much in tune with leaning into making sure that we are all supporting each other and we’re all pushing for what we want at the end of the year, which is to hold that trophy. Because even though, yes, so many people left, and we have a lot of new people here and we’re trying to jell, we still want to have that end goal of winning a championship. So, the main thing is continuing to build that chemistry and continuing to support each other through all the ups and downs through it. For me personally, I definitely want to go into Year 1 learning as much as I can about being a pro and as much I can from the coaching and being around the older players, and learning from their experiences. So this is very much a learning and a growing year for me. But at the same time, I do want to hold myself to the highest standard possible. Which is, just being able to be in any role or any shape or form that I can be for the team, (someone) that could lead us to a championship. Home opener: San Diego Wave (0-0-1) vs. Utah Royals (0-0-1) When: 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Snapdragon Stadium