Angel City FC Kicks Off Fifth NWSL Season With Matchup Against Chicago Stars FC

2026 Season Preview

Angel City FC (ACFC) will begin its fifth season in the NWSL with its eyes firmly on the postseason. Bolstered by a set of offseason additions to complement the roster that was assembled by Sporting Director Mark Parsons in 2025, the club expects to be strongly competitive in the newly expanded 16-team league. The 2026 season will be the first full one for Head Coach Alex Straus after he joined ACFC in June after winning three titles in as many years with Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga.

The Angel City offense will feature a retooled look, with several 2025 midseason acquisitions likely to start. Midfielder Maiara Niehues has already made her mark in the preseason, scoring a brace in Angel City’s victory over the Thorns in the Coachella Valley Invitational on Feb. 15. Countrywoman Ary Borges, who has made nearly 50 appearances with the Brazilian national team, signed with ACFC in January and will help drive the midfield attack for Straus. The midfield will also feature young star Kennedy Fuller, the versatile Nealy Martin, and Duke alumna Carina Lageyre.

Forward Riley Tiernan will be looking to make her presence felt up front once again for an Angel City offense that was top-five in the NWSL in shots taken in 2025. After joining last year’s preseason squad as a non-roster invitee, Tiernan was signed to a full contract by ACFC and went on to score eight goals in 26 starts in her first professional season — earning her an NWSL Rookie of the Year nomination.

Tiernan will be accompanied in the attack by dynamic players Jun Endo, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, and Prisca Chilufya. Fans can expect to see new mom Claire Emslie back on the pitch this season as well. Emslie and Endo have both been with ACFC since its inaugural season in 2022, while Jónsdóttir and Chilufya are each entering their first full year with the club.

The Angel City offense also features several young players. South Korean forward Casey Phair is back with the club after completing a loan to Djurgårdens IF and signed a contract extension with ACFC through 2028. Two new faces to look for in the Angel City attack are 2025 NCAA champion Taylor Suarez and National Team Replacement Player Rajanah Reed.

The ACFC back line will be anchored once again by captain Sarah Gorden, who has been a mainstay in the Angel City defense since 2022. Defender and U.S. Women’s National Team player Gisele Thompson is now signed through 2029 and will play a hybrid role on the right wing, pushing forward when attacking opportunities present themselves. Savy King is expected to start in her second season with Angel City after having recovered from the cardiac incident that she experienced in May 2025.

Former NCAA champion Evelyn Shores will be back for an Angel City defense that conceded the second-fewest penalties in 2025. Defender Sophia Mattice is starting her second season with the club, while Emily Sams and Karsyn Cherry joined ACFC in January after stints with the Orlando Pride and the University of Louisville, respectively.

Back as the incumbent in goal will be Angelina Anderson. She was drafted by Angel City in the 2023 NWSL draft and started 22 games in 2025. Fellow goalkeeper Hannah Seabert is entering her second season with ACFC, while Faith Nguyen signed a six-month contract with the club after starring at Texas Tech.

Sunday’s Match vs. Chicago Stars FC

Angel City FC (ACFC) will kick off its 2026 season at BMO Stadium against Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, Mar. 15, at 4 p.m. Pacific. The match will be streamed live on Victory+.

Angel City kicks off its historic fifth season in the NWSL under the leadership of Head Coach Alex Straus, who is starting his first full year with the club. Straus came to ACFC after building a perennial title contender in Germany, and he will be seeking to guide Angel City to its first league crown.

Angel City finished with a win and a loss in the preseason Coachella Valley Invitational, defeating Portland Thorns FC, 2-1, on Feb. 15 before losing to Seattle Reign FC, 1-0, on Feb. 21. Midfielder Maiara Niehues scored both goals for ACFC and will be looking to continue her offensive streak against the Stars.

Chicago finished last in the NWSL in 2025, conceding a league-worst 54 goals. The Stars return 19 players from last year, including goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who is entering her 11th season with the club. U.S. Women’s National Team player Mallory Swanson is not expected to face ACFC, as the forward is on maternity leave. New additions to Chicago’s roster include Nigerian international Michelle Alozie as well as goalkeeper and three-time NWSL Ironwoman Katie Lund.

Angel City has faced Chicago eight times in four seasons, with a 3-3-2 record overall.