LOS ANGELES -- When Angel City began, their third season was supposed to be the year they competed for an NWSL Championship.
Angel City was competitive but missed the playoffs in their first season and made the playoffs in their second year. However, Angel City took a step back in year three, missing the playoffs entirely. They finished 12th in the NWSL, eight points off a playoff position.
The NWSL also deducted three points from their total after conducting a salary cap investigation, which Angel City disputed.
Forwards Claire Emslie and Sydney Leroux led the team with seven goals, while Alyssa Thompson trailed them with five scores following a second-half of-the-season surge.
Teenage rookies midfielder Kennedy Fuller and defender Gisele Thompson also flashed their talent, playing roles on the team. Both of them started in 10 matches.
“We’ve had young players contribute a lot of minutes this year,” said coach Becki Tweed after Angel City’s final match. “You can see the impact that Alyssa and Gisele [Thompson] have in tonight's game.”
Coach Becki Tweed said she plans to “take some time to reflect on the season,” saying that the team gave up too many goals in transition. Angel City gave up 42 goals, tied for worst in the NWSL, some of which came in transition.
The team made the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup semifinals, but that tournament included none of the international stars playing in the Olympics.
“We've all been through a lot, and it has been really hard,” said Gisele Thompson. “We are trying to look at the positives and still grow as a team as we look to next year. We just want to keep growing and building.”
Forward Christen Press returned from an ACL injury that sidelined her for over two years. However, she only started one match as she built fitness towards the end of the season.
Press scored in stoppage time during Angel City’s Oct. 12 match against the North Carolina Courage, putting them up 1-0. However, the team conceded minutes later to drop two of three points.
Moments like these were familiar throughout the year as Angel City struggled to secure results.
Angel City is under new ownership as they head into the offseason. There is no longer an NWSL Draft and free agency has expanded. They will head into the time off with aspirations of building a squad that can compete in 2025.