A look at what’s ahead for Angel City in the 2023 campaign
The 2023 season is rapidly approaching with the NWSL kicking off this Saturday, March 25! The 11th year of league action will feature 12 teams with the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup featuring mid-season.
In a team-by-team preview, we’ll break down each squad’s big moves, massive matches, and more of what to know as we get ready for the regular season opener.
Angel City FC
2022 Season: 8th | 8-9-5 – 29 points
Big Additions:
- Katie Johnson – Three assists in 2022 for San Diego Wave FC
- Merritt Mathias – Acquired via trade with North Carolina Courage
- Alyssa Thompson – 2023 NWSL Draft No. 1 overall pick
Key Games:
- March 26: Gotham FC (H) – Regular Season Opener
- April 19: OL Reign (H) – Challenge Cup Opener
- April 23: San Diego Wave FC (H) – Regular Season
What to Expect:
Angel City FC enters the 2023 season with only good faith after key offseason increases have just reinforced a crew that procured a season finisher appearance in its debut season the year before. Angel City now boasts one of the league’s most terrifying forward lines with Simone Charley, Sydney Leroux, Alyssa Thompson, and Christen Press leading the attack after signing forward Katie Johnson and acquiring defender Merritt Mathias.
On the injury front, Press will undoubtedly keep a close eye on her as the club gets ready to welcome her back after she had three surgeries in eight months last year. The 18-year-old Thompson, who became the youngest player ever selected in the NWSL Draft, will undoubtedly share some of the spotlight. Thompson made her senior U.S. Women’s National Team debut in October, becoming the youngest player to do so since Mallory Pugh (then Swanson) in January 2016 (17 years, 334 days). In the back, defender Sarah Gorden, who tore her ACL in preseason and missed the entire season because of it, has settled in well and performed admirably in the team’s 3-0 preseason victory on March 8 against Club América of Liga MX Femenil.
In another location, goalkeeper DiDi Haracic is one of several significant contract extensions that will only provide Freya Coombe’s team with additional security. Haracic is one of several returning players, many of whom made regular appearances in the starting lineup during the club’s first season in the league.
Regarding Coombe, she stated to AngelCity.com that one of the keys to allowing the aforementioned attacking core to play freely would be the side’s solidity starting in the back:
“In the attack, we’re going to be exciting and fluid.” That is one of our goals. We will need to be able to defend with solidity. Following that, “just possessing well and being efficient in the future.”
The team is now looking ahead to the start of the regular season against NJ/NY Gotham FC on March 26 at BMO Stadium.
