2024 Angel City FC Season

The 2024 Angel City FC season was the team's third season as a professional women's soccer team. Angel City FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

Background

Coaching changes

On November 2, 2023, at the conclusion of the 2023 season, Angel City official announced that interim coach Becki Tweed would be staying on permanently as head coach. The club announced the departure of Head of Goalkeeping, Daniel Ball on November 8, 2023, after serving his two-year contract.

On January 9, 2024, Angel City announced the hiring of Lee Nguyen as an assistant coach, as well as the promotion of Eleri Earnshaw to first assistant coach. On January 23, 2024, Oliver Blitz was announced as the new Performance Analyst in the preseason roster announcement. On January 31, 2024, Angel City announced the finalized staff for the 2024 season, with Omar Zeenni announced as the new goalkeeper coach and Sarah Neal as the new director of rehabilitation.

On May 14, 2024, Angel City announced the hiring of Mark Wilson as the first Technical Director in club history.

Angel City announce they had parted ways with Assistant Coach Lee Nguyen on August 27, 2024.

On September 18, 2024, Angel City announced the hiring of Matt Wade as the clubs Assistant General Manager, to assist Angela Hucles Mangano in overseeing the club's football operations department and supporting the implementation of the club's sporting strategic plan. Wade previously served as the Head of Sporting Strategy with Feyenoord.

On December 5, 2024, Angel City announced that they had mutually agreed to part ways with General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano who had first joined the club as VP of Player Development in 2021. Assistant General Manager Matt Wade will assume the role of interim General Manager while the club conducts a comprehensive search for a new GM. Following the departure of Hucles, Angel City then announced the departure of Head Coach Becki Tweed on December 9, 2024. Assistant Coach Eleri Earnshaw will act as interim head coach while the search of a new coach begins.

Summary

Preseason

On January 23, 2024, Angel City announced their preseason roster with the first day of training beginning the following day. On February 14, 2024, Angel City announced that forward Jun Endo had suffered an ACL injury to her left-knee during a preseason training camp in Melbourne, Florida and would be placed on the season-ending injury list. Angel City competed in a friendly against NWSL expansion club Bay FC in the inaugural Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, California on February 20, 2024, which finished 0–0. After the friendly, Angel City announced a revised 31-player preseason roster on February 26, 2024.

Two new kits for the 2024 season were unveiled on February 27, 2024, the black primary jersey named 'Moonlight', and a pink secondary jersey named 'Sol'.

March

On March 6, 2024, Angel City announced they had signed USYNT U-17 midfielder Kennedy Fuller on a three-year deal through 2026 with an option for 2027 through the NWSL's U-18 Entry Mechanism. Angel City announced the following week on March 12, that they had signed draft pick Madison Curry to a one-year contract. The following day Angel City announced their final 26-player roster for the 2024 season, with Christen Press and Jun Endo listed with SEI's and Canadian international Vanessa Gilles remaining on loan at Lyon to round out the roster.

Ahead of the start of the 2024 season, it was reported that the four primary owners of the club had voted to have investment firm Moelis & Co. seek an investor and new owner that would assume control of Angel City's board for a reported valuation of $180 million.

Angel City officially kicked off their third NWSL season with a third consecutive sold-out home opener at BMO Stadium against expansion team Bay FC on March 17, 2024. The game saw five players make their debut for Angel City and two of those five, Kennedy Fuller and Gisele Thompson both making their professional debuts in the NWSL. Despite having more shots and possession than their opponents, Angel City ultimately were defeated 1–0 in their first game, failing to comeback after Asisat Oshoala was able to capitalize on a defensive error.

The 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup was announced on March 20, 2024, with Angel City set to take on the two other California-based teams San Diego Wave FC and Bay FC, as well as Liga MX team Club América in three group stage matches taking place over the Olympic break in the summer with a possibility to advance to the knockout stage.

Angel City earned their first point of the season during their first away game at Orlando Pride on March 22. Former Pride player Meggie Dougherty Howard was able to draw a penalty early in the second half which was converted by Claire Emslie but Angel City ultimately lost their lead when Marta was able to score off a corner kick in the eighty-eighth minute and the game finished as a 1–1 draw. Draft pick Madison Curry also made her professional debut with Angel City, coming on as a substitute. Angel City played their second consecutive away game against Kansas City Current for the first time at the newly opened CPKC Stadium and were ultimately defeated 2–4 after goals from Sydney Leroux and Madison Curry were not able to make up the deficit.

April

At the conclusion of the international break which saw five ACFC players get call ups to their respective national teams, Angel City played a third final consecutive away game against Chicago Red Stars. After making some changes to the starting lineup, Angel City were able to earn their first win of the season and also hand the Red Stars their first defeat of the season in a 1–0 victory off an own goal. The team also recorded their first clean sheet as defenders Megan Reid and Jasmyne Spencer, and veteran goalkeeper returned to the starting XI. This game was also Jasmyne Spencer's 175th career NWSL appearance.

On April 20, 2024, Angel City announced they had made two strategic player trades before the closing of the NWSL transfer window. Defender Paige Nielsen would be traded to the Houston Dash in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money and $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds and French international midfielder Amandine Henry would be traded to the Utah Royals in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money.

After three consecutive away games, Angel City returned to BMO Stadium on April 21, 2024, to play the North Carolina Courage in front of a second consecutive sold-out crowd of the season. Claire Emslie scored her first brace in the NWSL for Angel City, the first goal scored off a free kick to help secure a 2–1 victory in Angel City's first home win of the season. Sarah Gorden who captained the match, also made her 100th career NWSL appearance. The win saw Angel City enter 7th place in the overall standings, in playoffs contention for the first time the season.

Later in the week, Angel City concluded the month with hosting Kansas City Current on April 26, 2024. Despite leading at half after a goal from Emslie assisted by Alyssa Thompson, Angel City would go to concede three goals and finish the match as a 1–3 defeat to fall back down to 9th place.

May

Angel City traveled to face Utah Royals for the first time on May 3, 2024, at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. A goal from Leroux assisted by A. Thompson and a penalty kick converted by Emslie was enough to secure a 2–1 victory in the first match up between the two teams. Angel City returned to home to face Houston Dash on May 12, 2024. The game was held scoreless until former Angel City player Paige Nielsen scored on a set piece in the 99th minute. On May 14, 2024, Angel City announced the hiring of Mark Wilson as the first Technical Director in club history

On May 18, 2024, Angel City faced Washington Spirit away and despite a brief stretch where Angel City was leading 2–1 after forcing an own goal and a goal from Leroux, Angel City conceded three goals and were defeated 2–4. Leroux's goal was her 44th career goal, ranking her 10th all-time. Sisters Gisele and Alyssa Thompson were both named to the starting lineup for the first time, marking the first time in NWSL history that two sisters started for the same team.

On May 23, 2024, Angel City returned home to host Southern California rivals San Diego Wave which ultimately ended as a 0–0 draw. Five Angel City players ended their months on International Duty, including rookie Casey Phair who would play with South Korea in a set of friendlies against the United States.

June

After the International Break, Angel City traveled to New Jersey to face 2023 NWSL Champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC on June 6, 2024. Despite an equalizer from Clarisse Le Bihan, Angel City were ultimately defeated 1–2. After a winless streak, Angel City announced on June 11, 2024, that forward Christen Press would be returning to training after being sidelined for 730 days due to the ACL injury she sustained in the 2022 season.

Angel City then played Houston Dash away on June 15, 2024, and picked up a point in a scoreless 0–0 draw. On Junetheenth, Angel City hosted Racing Louisville FC. Rookie Kennedy Fuller opened the scoring by scoring her first professional goal assisted by fellow rookie, Madison Curry. Rocky Rodríguez scored her first goal with Angel City to add to Angel City's lead. After conceding two goals, Sydney Leroux scored the game winner in the 85th minute, assisted by Alyssa Thompson to secure a 3–2 win and ending a 5-game winless steak.

Angel City played Bay FC at PayPal Park for the first time and were ultimately defeated in a 0–1 loss. Angel City ended the month with hosting eventual 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship winners Orlando Pride and were defeated in a 0–3 loss due to goals from Adriana and Barbra Banda.

July

In the final match before the break before the Olympics, Angel City hosted NJ/NY Gotham FC in a match that ended as a 1–2 defeat on July 6, 2024. Angel City went into the Olympic break in 11th place.

At the 2024 ESPY Awards on July 11, 2024, Angel City received the award for Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, president of the club Julie Uhrman noted, the club in the past year had done 5,400 hours of community service with 1,700 volunteers.

On July 15, 2024, Angel City announced they had mutually agreed to part ways with Clarisse Le Bihan who had been with the team since the inaugural season. Le Bihan finished her time with Angel City with 47 NWSL appearances and 2 goals and would go on to sign with Lazio in Serie A Femminile.

After rumors and unofficial reports, it was formally announced on July 17, 2024, that Willow Bay, Dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Company, would be investing $50 million into Angel City to become the majority shareholders. The deal would value the club at $250 million, making it the most value women's sports team in the world. Bay will serve on and have full control of the Angel City Board of Directors, will serve as the Controlling Owner and will represent Angel City on the NWSL's Board of Governors. Angel City's board will continue to include Natalie Portman, Julie Uhrman, Alexis Ohanian and Gillian Berry.

Angel City returned to Fullerton, California to Titan Stadium on July 20, 2024, for the inaugural NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup and hosted Liga MX Femenil team Club América and secured three-points with goals from Fuller and Leroux in a 2–1 victory. Angel City played their second match of the Summer Cup traveling to San Jose, California to face Bay FC on July 26, 2024, and secured another three-points in a 2–0 victory. 17-year old rookie Casey Phair made her professional debut in the match subbing on for Messiah Bright in the 66th minute.

August

Angel City began the month with their final Summer Cup match against San Diego Wave FC on August 1, 2024. Christen Press returned to the pitch to play her first game in 782 days when she subbed in the 89th minute of the game. The game finished as a 0–0 draw and due to the Summer Cup rules went to a penalty shootout. Press, A. Thompson, Fuller, Rodríguez, and Emslie all converted their penalty kicks and DiDi Haračić managed to save a kick from Amirah Ali to win the shootout 5–4, secure two points, finish atop the group, and send the team to the semifinals. For the semifinals of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, Angel City travels to Kansas City to play NJ/NY Gotham FC on August 6, 2024, and Angel City were not able to rally after Gotham scored in the 58th minute.

On August 9, 2024, the NWSL released the July 2024 Best XI and featured Sarah Gorden and Madison Curry. Gorden earned a spot on the Best XI after recording four tackles won throughout the month and registering a passing accuracy of 79.34% in 360 minutes played. Gorden helped lead Angel City FC to the top of Group D and a spot in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri. Curry recorded five tackles won along with eight interceptions during July to earn a spot in the Best XI. The California native played a total of 256 minutes in July helping Angel City to an undefeated run in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup group stage.

On August 12, 2024, it was officially announced that England midfielder Katie Zelem would sign with Angel City through 2026 via free agency.

On August 18, 2024, Angel City hosted Liga MX Femenil team FC Juárez in a friendly which finished as a 7–0 victory, the largest victory in club history. Messiah Bright scored a hat-trick, the first hat-trick in Angel City's history. The game also saw a brace for Claire Emslie as well as defender Megan Reid's first goal, as well as Alyssa Thompson's first goal of the season, converted via penalty-kick. The game also saw a debut for goalkeeper Hannah Stambaugh.

After having to withdraw from the New Zealand squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics due to injury, captain Ali Riley was officially added to the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list on August 22, 2024, due to a chronic and persistent leg injury that has kept her out for the majority of the season. Vice-captain, defender Sarah Gorden who assumed the role of captain in Riley's absence, would regularly captain Angel City matches for the rest of the season.

After a scoring drought, Alyssa Thompson scored her first professional brace in Angel City's first regular-season match after the Olympic break against San Diego Wave FC on August 24, 2024. Thompson became the second teenager after Mallory Swanson to score a brace in a NWSL match. Katie Zelem also made her debut with Angel City coming on a substitute.

Angel City announce they had parted ways with Assistant Coach Lee Nguyen on August 27, 2024.

September

Angel City kicked off the month hosting Chicago Red Stars on September 1, 2024, A. Thompson continued her scoring streak and along with another goal from Leroux, Angel City won the match 2–1.

On September 5, 2024, Angel City announced they would be signing a new contract with Japanese forward Jun Endo keeping her in Los Angeles until 2027, while she continues to recover from the ACL injury she sustained during preseason. On September 6, 2024, three Angel City players were named to the August 2024 NWSL Best XI for their performances in the Summer Cup and matches since the conclusion of the Olympic break. Sarah Gorden was named for the second consecutive month, and Alyssa Thompson and DiDi Haračić were named to the Best XI for the first time.

Angel City played a second consecutive match at home but were defeated by the visiting Seattle Reign on September 6, 2024, in a 2–3 defeat despite goals again from A. Thompson and Leroux. Angel City then traveled to play Racing Louisville FC on September 14, 2024, and Meggie Dougherty Howard scored her first Angel City goal to open the scoring but Angel City were ultimately defeated 1–2.

On September 18, 2024, Angel City announced the hiring of Matt Wade as the clubs Assistant General Manager, to assist Angela Hucles Mangano in overseeing the club's football operations department and supporting the implementation of the club's sporting strategic plan.

Angel City returned to BMO Stadium to play Portland Thorns FC on September 23, 2024, and Alyssa Thompson scored her fifth goal of the season and Emslie her seventh to secure a 2–2 draw. Angel City played the fifth and final match of the month on September 27, 2024, hosting Washington Spirit. Forward Messiah Bright scored her first regular-season goal of the season but it was ultimately not enough as Angel City were defeated 1–2.

October

It was reported on October 3, 2024, that Angel City would be fined $200,000, and docked 3-points in the 2024 standings for violating the NWSL salary cap. Team president and CEO Julie Uhrman and general manager Angela Hucles Mangano also have been suspended "from conducting duties related to any player transactions" for the rest of 2024. This saw the team drop down to 12th place in the standings. According to the league the team had exceeded the $50,000 for four weeks during the 2024 season. While Angel City accepted full responsibility for their violations, they defended their actions as they had believed "childcare payments do not count against the salary cap". Sydney Leroux, one of the mothers on the team also spoke out against the leagues decision.

Fresh off the news of the clubs salary cap violations, Angel City traveled to play Seattle Reign FC on October 4, 2024. M.A. Vignola who had been battling injury through the season scored her first goal of the season assisted by Alyssa Thompson and it ended as the match winner in a 1–0 victory to secure 3-points on the road. Earlier than day Alyssa Thomson was once again named to the NWSL Team of the Month for back-to-back months for scoring 3 goals and 1 assist over the month of September.

Angel City then traveled to play North Carolina Courage on October 12, 2024. Christen Press scored her first goal since returning from her injury in stoppage time to almost secure the win, but the Courage managed to equalize and end the match as a 1–1 draw. The match also marked Press' 100th NWSL appearance. As this was must win game to keep them in playoff contention, Angel City's playoff eligibility was now out of their control.

On October 15, 2024, veteran defender Merritt Mathias announced that she would be retiring at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Mathias dealt with injury throughout her time at Angel City and was honored at the final home match of the season on October 20, 2024, against Utah Royals. After a goal from Claudia Zornoza, Sydney Leroux scored an equalizer off a header assist from Gisele Thompson, her first professional assist. The match finished as a 1–1 draw. Before the match began, Angel City was officially eliminated from playoff contention.

On October 29, 2024, Angel City announced Sydney Leroux would re-sign with Angel City which would keep her with the club until 2027. Leroux described this as her "last go" and that she would end her career with Angel City. Three players were called up by their respective national teams during the International Break. Alyssa Thompson earned her first official call-up of the year and also scored her first senior goal for the United States in a friendly against Iceland. Owner Natalie Portman also represented Angel City at the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris.

November

In the final match of the 2024 regular season, Angel City traveled to play Portland Thorns FC and were defeated 0–3 as the Thorns played to clinch their playoff berth. Angel City ultimately finished 12th of out 14 teams with 24 points after their deduction, 29 goals scored and 42 goals scored against. Angel City did remain second in overall attendance.

Postseason

On November 18, 2024, Angel City announced they would be moving into a newly renovated performance facility at California Lutheran University. The performance center, formerly used by the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, offers a full-size pitch and a half and approximately 50,000 square feet of indoor space, the largest dedicated solely to NWSL club. The performance center will serve as the home of Angel City players and first-team staff for up to four years and would be completed ahead of the 2025 preseason. The center features a 5,400-square-foot gym, custom lockers for players, coaches, staff, and a dedicated locker room for players under 18, a new hydrotherapy area including cold and hot plunge pools and saunas, a private outdoor relaxation lounge, a 3,400-square-foot medical treatment and rehabilitation area, a private recovery room, private doctor's office and medical staff offices, Custom pre- and post-training nutrition and supplement area to provide elevated nutrition area for athletes to fuel with fresh, nutritious meals prepared onsite, children's playroom to support the families of our players and staff, a 930-square-foot team meeting and film room, coaching and performance offices for soccer operations staff, and a fit-for-purpose studio onsite for content capture and interviews.

On November 19, 2024, announced NYX Professional Makeup as a new multi-year sleeve sponsor for the 2025 season, NYX is the first makeup brand to invest in a soccer team.

On November 22, 2024, Angel City announced they had signed Scottish forward Claire Emslie to a new contract to keep her with Angel City until 2026.

On December 4, 2024, rookie defender Madison Curry announced she would not be re-signing with Angel City and would instead sign with Seattle Reign as a free agent. Later that day, Angel City announced the contract extension of Japanese goalkeeper Hannah Stambaugh for the 2025 season.

On December 5, 2024, Angel City announced that they had mutually agreed to part ways with General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano who had first joined the club as VP of Player Development in 2021. Assistant General Manager Matt Wade will assume the role of interim General Manager while the club conducts a comprehensive search for a new GM. Following the departure of Hucles, Angel City then announced the departure of Head Coach Becki Tweed on December 9, 2024. Tweed finished her time at Angel City with 17 wins, 13 draws, 17 loss across all competitions with a win rate of 36.17%. Assistant Coach Eleri Earnshaw will act as interim head coach while the search of a new coach begins.

At the conclusion of the 2024 season, on December 10, 2024, Angel City announced their end-of-season roster, they announced they will not be renewing the contract of goalkeeper DiDi Haračić and defender Jasmyne Spencer, who have been with the club since its inaugural season in 2022, as well as midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard and forward Katie Johnson, who would later announce her retirement from professional soccer on December 20, 2024.

Stadium and facilities

Angel City FC continued to play in BMO Stadium, their home since the team's inaugural season in 2022.

While Angel City's owners have spoken about plans to build a designated training facility for the team, Angel City continues to trains at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. They currently use portable buildings on the college campus for offices and locker rooms and a tent for a weight room.

After the conclusion of the season, on November 18, 2024, Angel City announced they would be moving into a newly renovated performance facility at California Lutheran University. The performance center, formerly used by the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, offers a full-size pitch and a half and approximately 50,000 square feet of indoor space, the largest dedicated solely to NWSL club. The performance center will serve as the home of Angel City players and first-team staff for up to four years and would be completed ahead of the 2025 preseason.

Team

Current staff

Squad

Transactions

2024 NWSL Draft

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2024 NWSL Draft was held on January 15, 2024, in Anaheim, California.

Contract options

Re-signings

Preseason trialists

Loans out

Transfers in

Transfers out

Retirements

Injury listings

Competitions

Preseason

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

Regular Season

All matches are in Pacific time

Matches

Regular season standings

Results summary

Results by matchday

International club friendlies

On July 12, 2024, Angel City announced they would be hosting Liga MX Femenil team FC Juárez in a friendly on August 18, 2024, at BMO Stadium.

Statistics

Squad appearances

Goals

Assists

Clean sheets

Disciplinary cards

Awards

NWSL monthly awards

Best XI of the Month

NWSL weekly awards

Goal of the Week

Save of the Week

ESPY Awards

* Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year

References

{{2024 in American women's soccer

Angel City FC seasons
Angel City FC season
Angel City FC season
Angel City FC season