LOS ANGELES -- As the regular season comes to an end, the Angel City Football Club has announced three additions to its roster: Hina Sugita, Prisca Chilufya and Maithé López. With two home games left on the schedule, all three players have the chance to make their debut as the club pushes for playoff contention.
Hina Sugita
Headlines broke in early October as the acquisition of Japanese international midfielder Sugita was announced. In a trade with Portland Thorns FC, Angel City sent $600,000 in intra-league transfer funds and long-time defender M.A. Vignola for Sugita. AFCF signed Vignola on December 5, 2021, making her the team's second-ever player signing after Christen Press.
“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to join Angel City,” said Sugita. “I feel a lot of energy and passion from the club, and I'm happy to be part of this community. I'm very excited to play for this team and look forward to seeing the fans at BMO Stadium.”
Sugita is one of the most dynamic midfielders in the league, something fans saw in her debut with the club on Monday against the Kansas City Current.
Hina Sugita tape from just the first 45 mins of her ACFC debut looks really good https://t.co/G0qH9YMTXn pic.twitter.com/ezkfa0P5On
— CAPTCHA 🪅 (@FootyFilmz) October 7, 2025
“Hina is one of the players that we have wanted for quite some time,” said ACFC Head Coach Alex Straus. “We believe she will fit right in with the direction we are going as she brings a very specific skillset to the midfield. She has played in this league since 2022 for a good team and has been a difference maker for them, so we look forward to having Hina in our environment.”
Sugita has had a tremendous international impact with the Japanese Women’s National Team. She's earned 51 international caps and represented Japan at two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2019, 2023) and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Sugita entered the NWSL in 2022 with the Portland Thorns FC, helping the club capture the 2022 NWSL Championship. During three seasons in Portland, Sugita recorded 13 goals and 14 assists, ranking sixth in Thorns’ history for assists.
Prisca Chilufya
On Thursday, ACFC announced the addition of Zambian international forward Chilufya and a 2025 international roster spot via a trade with the Orlando Pride, in exchange for $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds.
“I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to join Angel City,” said Chilufya. “I feel as though I greatly align with the mission of the club and its core values, and can’t wait to contribute on and off the pitch. In addition, the culture here in LA is amazing, and I admire the relationship that the club has built with the city. Volemos ACFC!”
Chilufya joined the Orlando Pride in January of 2025 following a transfer from La Liga MX Femenil side FC Juarez. In Orlando, Chilufya netted two goals in 16 matches. During her two seasons with Juarez, she scored 14 goals in 48 appearances. As a pacey forward, Chilufya
Prisca Chilufya's first day on the pitch with Angel City FC 🪽 pic.twitter.com/rqs3fQhmVh
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 9, 2025
Maithé López
Angel City will feature yet another rising young baller on its roster. ACFC announced the return of López on Friday. The 18-year-old Colombian forward was recalled from a seven-month loan with Gainbridge Super League Team Lexington SC. At Lexington, López started six matches, scoring her first goal shortly after joining in a road draw against Brooklyn FC. Angel City acquired in February 2025 with an international roster spot.
“We are happy to welcome Maithé back to LA,” said ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons. “The opportunity to have her in our environment before the end of the season gives us a chance to see her on the pitch and evaluate her progress.”
The 18-year-old striker made her professional debut and goal with Real Santander in Colombia’s Liga Femenina in June 2024. She helped the Colombia U-20 Women’s National Team reach the quarterfinals of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, recording one assist. She also featured in three games for Colombia at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Originally from Bucaramanga, Colombia, López has represented her country in both the U-17 and U-20 South American Championships and the 2024 U-20 Sud Ladies Cup. She was called up to the Colombia Senior Women’s National Team for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.