Key Transactions
Angel City FC (ACFC) is one of the NWSL’s newest teams, joining the league as an expansion side this year. ACFC made its regular season debut on April 30, with a roster comprised of players from the expansion draft as well as the college draft. The team includes former Pride players Ali Riley, Dani Weatherholt, Jasmyne Spencer and Brittany Isenhour, along with U.S. WNT forward Christen Press, Savannah McCaskill and Jun Endo.
Recent Form
In its first game of the regular season at Banc of California Stadium, Angel City took a 2-1 over the North Carolina Courage. Vanessa Gilles found the back of the net quickly when she finished a pass from Jun Endo in the third minute, with Endo scoring a goal of her own 10 minutes later. North Carolina tried to claw back with a goal from Debinha in the 51st minute, but ACFC was able to keep the lead and secure the win in its first ever home match.
Who’s Hot
Christen Press led Angel City with two goals throughout the Challenge Cup, followed by Simone Charley, Tyler Lussi and Savannah McCaskill each with one. With their finishes last week at Banc of California, first-year NWSL players Gilles and Endo scored their first goals for their new side.
Head-to-Head
Sunday will serve as the inaugural meeting between the Pride and Angel City. Through six matches with expansion sides a year ago, the Pride took a 3-1-2 record in all competitions, with a pair of victories over 2021 expansion club Kansas City Current and one from Racing Louisville.
Rasmussen Fun Fact
This weekend will serve as a homecoming for a number of Pride players and staff, namely Head Coach Amanda Cromwell along with Assistant Coach Sam Greene and Goalkeeper Coach Aline Reis. In addition, a number of Pride players will return to the city where they spent their collegiate careers, including UCLA products Sydney Leroux, Megan Montefusco, Darian Jenkins and Viviana Villacorta, along with USC graduates Leah Pruitt and Kaylie Collins.
