Sunday night at Cal State Fullerton, with their first-ever win in the books, the Angel City FC players lingered on the field. They gathered in front of the supporters section, greeting fans and basking in the vibes at the end of what's been a challenging (no pun intended) preseason tournament. But for the fans, the celebration was just a prelude to the big show: Angel City's inaugural regular-season game, and their first at their home field, this Friday at Banc of California Stadium.
'I'm just trying to soak in this moment and just be really excited for this team and for this program and what this first win means,' said defender Megan Reid after the game. 'But at the same time, you go and you sign, and you [see] your fans that are so excited, [and they say,] 'hey, we're coming next week!' So it's a little bit of both. You're soaking in the moment that we're living right now, but also just super excited for the fans that are looking forward to next week.'
For Angel City, the season opener is a moment almost two years—22 months, to be exact—in the making, as the ACFC ownership group was awarded NWSL rights in the summer of 2020.But for many fans, the anticipation goes back even further.
'I've been pushing for the NWSL to come to LA since the league started [in 2013],' said Shayla Pham, a member of the ACFC supporters group Pandemonium. 'So finally having a team and getting to play in a stadium like the Banc—it's amazing.'
Matt Vitale, also a Pandemonium member, echoes Pham. 'I remember when we just had a little two-stick in the north end [at the Banc],' he remembers. 'And then the first 'Bring NWSL to LA' meeting, I was at that. Now it's like—we're here!'
That the supporters have already been here in LA, in some cases for almost a decade, is not lost on the team. As Christen Press told the media this week, 'these supporters campaigned to get NWSL to LA.' For Press, an LA native, the depth of that support is especially meaningful, as many of the same fans who campaigned to bring the NWSL to their city 'were very vocal to the club in requesting that I be the first player, and be a player for Angel City, and I feel grateful to them for that.'
The city's first top-flight women's club since the LA Sol folded in 2010 will make their debut with a bang. A slate ofpregame festivities is planned, culminating in a performance of the club’s hype anthem, “Running with the Angels,” by Brittany Howard, Tia P., and a 40-piece marching band. But at the end of the day, Angel City is a soccer team—and the soccer won't disappoint.
This first-ever regular season game is against the North Carolina Courage, the winningest team in NWSL history. The player to watch out for is Brazilian international Debinha, a crafty midfielder with killer dead-ball skill who has been a Courage standout since 2017. She's scored four goals so far in the Challenge Cup—in which the Courage have a 3–0–3 record and finished first in the East division—and promises to challenge LA's defense.
'North Carolina has historically been one of the strongest sides in the NWSL,' said Press. 'They play fast, transitional, attacking football.It will be a challenging game, no doubt.'
But, she adds, the team is ready for the challenge. 'I think that we're proud of where we are. And I think that the team feels really ready for this moment and for our opponent, and for what it means.'
On the Angel City side, keep your eyes on the team's front four, which includes not just Press but Simone Charley, Jun Endo, and Savannah McCaskill. That group really started to click last week after the initial stretch of preseason, where injuries, illness, and a red card to McCaskill limited their minutes playing together.
Press scored a penalty in the team's first win on Sunday, but she impressed throughout the match, putting three shots on frame and creating several chances that resulted in near misses. Charley, meanwhile, scored a spectacular header two weeks ago against OL Reign, heading in a cross by Endo that she had to jump backwards off one foot to reach, in a soccer version of a fadeaway jumper.
With Endo and Press causing problems for opponents on the wings, McCaskill sets her teammates up from a central position, often serving as a link between the midfield and the forward line. Against Portland, she had 20 passes in the final third, with 85% accuracy, a measure that indicates a player isn't just getting on the ball, but is moving it around effectively in a dangerous area. All in all, this is a dynamic attacking corps that's just heating up.
The team as a whole grew, and grew closer together, during preseason. 'We came together in a really strong way over the course of preseason, which is something we can be really proud of,' said Press. 'Throughout all of the games, regardless of the results or the performance, the one thing that was consistent from this group was the determination and a positive attitude and a togetherness, which I think is the most important fundamental piece to a great team.'
That growth didn't come easily. 'In terms of character and fight and [the team's] ability to be together as a group—that's come on massively and been really, really good for us to see,' said head coach Freya Coombe on Sunday. 'The journey that we've been on, it hasn't been easy. We've conceded a few goals along the way. But I think in terms of the team coming together and starting to play the style, it's coming on board.'
For the supporters, this is about more than results, though. “I don't care if we win or lose,' said Pham. 'You don't get a first game again.'
'I'm just happy we get to be here,' said Vitale. 'Results aside, I still am showing up every game...You come out here for the community. You come out here for each other.'
Press echoed that sentiment. 'We do have the privilege of playing for a big purpose, one that goes beyond football,' she said. 'It's about this community in Los Angeles. It's about the growth of women's sports, and it's about the values that this club has of equity and empowerment at its core.'
Has the group imagined what it will be like stepping onto the field at the Banc in front ofthe biggest crowd in NWSL so far this year?
'It's been brought up,' said keeper DiDi Haračić on Sunday.'I think all of us have tried to kind of stay calm about it... I think I just want to get there and I'll talk to you after. I want to get there and I'll let you know how that experience is.'
