Today, Angel City opened training and released their preseason roster in preparation for their second season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
ACFC’s preseason roster features the following players (in alphabetical order by last name):
Goalkeepers (3): Angelina Anderson (DRAFT), DiDi Haračić, Brittany Isenhour
Defenders (12): Rachel Diodati (NRI), Vanessa Gilles (LOAN, INT), Sarah Gorden, Madison Hammond, Kelsey Hill (NRI), Merritt Mathias, Paige Nielsen, Megan Reid, Ali Riley, Allyson Swaby (LOAN), Gisele Thompson (U18 Trialist), M.A. Vignola
Midfielders (9): Taylor Aylmer (NRI), Katie Johnson, Clarisse Le Bihan (INT), Savannah McCaskill, Molly McLaughlin (NRI), Lily Nabet, Mackenzie Pluck (NRI), Domi Richardson (NRI), Dani Weatherholt
Forwards (8): Simone Charley, Claire Emslie (INT), Jun Endo (INT), Sydney Leroux, Mia Minestrella (U18 Trialist), Christen Press (SEI), Jasmyne Spencer, Alyssa Thompson (DRAFT)
Key: Non-Roster Invitee (NRI), International Player (INTL), Not Yet Reported (NYR)
The 32 players will train under Head Coach Freya Coombe, First Assistant Coach Melissa Phillips, Assistant Coach Becki Tweed, Assistant Coach Eleri Earnshaw, and Goalkeeper Coach Daniel Ball to prepare for the club’s upcoming 2023 NWSL season.
Most notably, the club’s 2023 draftees, forward Alyssa Thompson and goalkeeper Angelina Anderson, will be in attendance this preseason. Thompson, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, has agreed to a three-year contract through the 2025 season with the club, while Anderson recently signed a one-year contract.
Newcomers in the market, defender Merritt Mathias and forward/midfielder Katie Johnson were the latest ACFC offseason acquisitions that will be reporting to training this preseason.
Defender Vanessa Gilles, on loan to Lyon, and defender Allyson Swaby, on loan to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), will not participate in preseason activities, but are expected to join the club once the terms of their respective loans have been met. Following their time with their national teams, Ali Riley (New Zealand), Jun Endo (Japan) and Claire Emslie (Scotland) will join the team for the beginning of preseason.
In addition, Gisele Thompson, Alyssa’s younger sister, and Mia Minestrella have also joined the preseason roster as U18 trialists and are expected to train with ACFC throughout the season.
Full details on ACFC’s 2023 preseason schedule, complete regular-season schedule, and Challenge Cup schedule will be released at a later date.
