Thompson could be key to more offense for ACFC
Angel City Football Club kicks off its second season Sunday. The inaugural season saw the club capture the city’s attention, but ultimately ended in disappointment as Angel City failed to qualify for the NWSL playoffs. Before Year 2 kicks off, here are five questions facing Angel City before its opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday evening at BMO Stadium.
CAN ANGEL CITY FIND A CONSISTENT SCORING ATTACK?
Last season, Angel City scored just 23 goals, tying for the third fewest in the NWSL. Savannah Mccaskill, who had never scored more than three goals in her career, led ACFC with seven. This season, if Sydney Leroux and Christen Press are able to return, the scoring should increase and by a lot. If not, that’s where Alyssa Thompson enters the picture. Freya Coombe fields a 4-3-3 formation. At the start of the season, that should mean Thompson is up top with Jun Endo and Simone Charley. That’s a scary trio for defenders.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR NO. 1 DRAFT PICK ALYSSA THOMPSON?
Thompson has already proved she’s not here for fun and games. In one of her first touches in the home preseason debut against Club America, Thompson scored, beating a group of defenders and eventually the goalkeeper. Her speed is legit. Will defenders be able to stay with her? Bethany Balcer (2019) and Trinity Rodman (2021) won Rookie of the Year honors with six goals. With the injuries to Press and Leroux, Thompson will get more than enough opportunities. All that’s left would be for her to take advantage of them.
WILL ANGEL CITY MAINTAIN ITS DEFENSIVE EDGE?
One thing ACFC did well last season was keep opponents from scoring with ease. Angel City allowed just 27 goals, tying for the fourth fewest. Goalkeeper Didi Haracic was one of the team’s top acquisitions in building the club. Haracic, in her first starting assignment, played in 21 of 22 games, recording 70 saves and four shutouts. Aside from Haracic, ACFC received strong performances from defender Megan Reid, who started in all 22 games, playing in all 1,980 available minutes. The club will receive a big boost with Sarah Gorden returning after missing all of last season with an ACL injury. As of now, Angel City has 10 defenders on its roster with Vanessa Gilles and Allyson Swaby out on loan. In a World Cup year, the depth will be crucial this season.
WILL SYDNEY LEROUX AND CHRISTEN PRESS RETURN?
In the perfect scenario, the duo is on the field with Thompson, forming the world’s most potent forward attack. However, Leroux (ankle surgery) and Press (ACL) have been sidelined and the club has been vague regarding their progress and returns. Press suffered her injury in June. In an Instagram post March 1, she said she’s had three surgeries. In a story in The Athletic, Leroux said she’s not training, but “she’s working on running again.”
WILL ANGEL CITY REACH THE PLAYOFFS?
If you’re new to watching the NWSL, you might think that it is easy to reach the playoffs. There are 12 teams in the league and the top six advance. Still, it’s not that easy. Angel City had four games where it led at or near the 80th minute and came away with three draws and a loss. If it wins at least two, that would have put Angel City in the playoffs. Being able to see games out is another step the team must take to be considered a playoff and championship contender.