Angel City, Wave prepare to clash
Both San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC have made their presence felt in their inaugural season in the NWSL.
Wave FC, led by Alex Morgan, has made its way to the top of the league standings after 11 games.
Angel City (4-4-2, 14 points) has relied on a strong defensive effort, allowing just 10 goals in its first 10 games.
Today, the two expansion teams will meet for the first time in the regular season.
“I know both teams are going to be up for it,” Angel City coach Freya Coombe said. “I think it's a celebration of soccer in Southern California, which I think will unite the community and provides options and a pathway for those players that are involved in the youth clubs and the academies.
“It's only a positive for the football community. It's a celebration of the league of how the expansion teams are doing, and I'm proud of what we've achieved.”
Angel City and San Diego (6-2-3, 21 points) played twice during the NWSL Challenge Cup. The first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw and Wave FC won the second meeting 4-2.
The second regular season meeting is set for Sept. 17 in San Diego.
San Diego played its first game last week without Morgan, who leads the league with 11 goals, and Taylor Kornieck and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan (Canada). All three are away on international duty. Wave FC still beat the Washington Spirit 2-1. Morgan and Kornieck are with the U.S. team.
Angel City is coming off of a 1-1 draw with the Portland Thorns. Angel City had the win snatched away in the final moments of the game.
This week has afforded the club and more importantly Sydney Leroux with practice time to get better acclimated after arriving just in time for last week's game against Portland.
“It was great to see her in training this week, being able to deal with the ball at her feet and make smart decisions,” Coombe said of Leroux.
Leroux made her Angel City debut against the Thorns, coming on as a sub in the 64th minute.
“The more minutes you get with the players around you the better,” Leroux said.”It's been amazing. Everyone has been so welcoming to me and my family. I honestly love it. I just can't stop smiling. I'm excited to get to work and get even more settled.”
NEW ADDITION FOR ANGEL CITY » Forward Claire Emslie will be available for the game, Coombe said. The club announced Thursday that it had signed Emslie through the 2024 season. Angel City selected Emslie in the expansion draft, but she had to finish out her contract with Everton.