A look at what's ahead for Angel City in the 2023 campaign
Angel City FC enters the 2023 season with nothing but optimism after key offseason additions have only bolstered a squad that earned a playoff appearance in its inaugural season last year. After signing forward Katie Johnson and acquiring defender Merritt Mathias, Angel City have added talent on both ends of the field and now carries one of the scariest forward lines in the league with Simone Charley, Sydney Leroux, Alyssa Thompson, and Christen Press helping lead the attack.
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 : 8 th | 8-9-5 – 29 points Big Additions : * Katie Johnson – Three assists in 2022 for San Diego Wave FC
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Merritt Mathias – Acquired via trade with North Carolina Courage
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Alyssa Thompson – 2023 NWSL Draft No. 1 overall pick Key Games : * March 26: Gotham FC (H) – Regular Season Opener
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April 19: OL Reign (H) – Challenge Cup Opener
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April 23: San Diego Wave FC (H) – Regular Season What to Know : Angel City FC enters the 2023 season with nothing but optimism after key offseason additions have only bolstered a squad that earned a playoff appearance in its inaugural season last year. After signing forward Katie Johnson and acquiring defender Merritt Mathias, Angel City have added talent on both ends of the field and now carries one of the scariest forward lines in the league with Simone Charley, Sydney Leroux, Alyssa Thompson, and Christen Press helping lead the attack. On the injury front, after three surgeries in eight months last year , Press will have a ton of eyes on her as the club prepares to welcome her back. Sharing the spotlight in part will no doubt be the 18-year-old Thompson, who became the youngest player ever selected in the NWSL Draft. Thompson made her debut with the senior U.S. Women’s National Team last October and was the youngest player to debut for her country (17 years, 334 days) since Mallory Pugh (then Swanson) back in January 2016. In the back, defender Sarah Gorden–who missed all of last season after tearing her ACL in preseason–has settled in well and put in a dominant display in the team’s 3-0 preseason win against Liga MX Femenil side Club América on March 8. Elsewhere, goalkeeper DiDi Haracic is one of a number of big contract extensions that will only add further security to head coach Freya Coombe’s side. Haracic is among several returning players, including many who started regularly throughout the club’s opening season in the league. Speaking of Coombe, she told AngelCity.com that the side’s solidity started in the back and would be one of the keys to allowing that attacking core mentioned above to play freely: “We're going to be exciting and fluid in the attack. That’s a goal of ours. Defensive solidity is something that's going to be key for us. Then just possessing well and being efficient going forward.” Now, the team looks ahead to its regular season opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, March 26 at BMO Stadium.