Los Angeles is a city that drips in glitz and glamour. The Hollywood Hills are adorned with the world’s most recognisable faces. Some of whom have invested in La La Land’s latest foray into women’s soccer. Whilst previous iterations have tried and failed in the City of Angels, this is not a fate I see befalling Angel City. And here’s why.
A club that is long overdue
The city of Los Angeles, and the wider metropolitan area, is no stranger to the beautiful game. Far from it. From Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, to David Beckham’s famed time with the LA Galaxy. LA is a huge soccer city, there can be no doubt about that.
The development of an NWSL franchise in the shadow of the Hollywood Hills is long overdue. Soccer’s standing within the city continues to rise, thanks in no small part to a thriving, football mad, Latino community. Soccer also continues to go from strength to strength in the eyes of many Americans too. LA is proven to be no exception to the rule.
Angel City, if they get it right, could flourish. And early indications are that they will. The excitement among local soccer fans is palpable, something that is underlined by the 14,000 season tickets the club has sold thus far.
The celebrity investment that has been central to the club’s birth has played a huge part in the culmination of these sales. They’ve created a lot of hype. And why wouldn’t they? Their list of guarantors reads more like the cast list of a big budget Hollywood blockbuster, than a football clubs’ investment repertoire. It’d be hard not to be excited about this team as a local.
By the way, 14,000. That’s not a number to be sniffed at either. LA is a city saturated with top quality sporting institutions; the Lakers, Rams, Chargers… I could go on. That’s before you even get to cities’ Major League Soccer franchises, the LA Galaxy and Angel City’s roommates LAFC, both of which average north of 20,000 fans per game.
Eni Aluko, Angel City FC sporting Director
Why LA is perfect for soccer
The attendances garnered by the cities’ MLS franchises prove two things; 1) the appetite for soccer is there, and 2) the project is sustainable. The ghost of the Los Angeles Sol will doubtless lead some to treat LA’s latest foray into women’s soccer with some trepidation. And whilst the club certainly shouldn’t rest on its laurels, the early signs are far more promising than they ever were for the Sol.
The Sol typically entertained 6-7,000 for their home games. Angel City look set to at least double that in year 1. And, provided the team is successful, there’s no reason why they cannot swell that number.
Freya Coombe on the club’s support
The support they are currently experiencing hasn’t gone unnoticed either. Freya Coombe told Sporting Her that the support has been overwhelming when I asked her for her thoughts on the matter:
“For me the words are incredible, overwhelming, just exciting. I don’t think there’s any team in the league that sort of has the overwhelming support that we have as such a new organization and a standalone female team.”
“I think it’s definitely giving the players energy. There’s a definite feeling of excitement to go and play in front of that larger crowd. How the fans have supported (us) and the supporter groups in the community getting behind the team means a ton to the players, the staff, and to everyone involved in the club. I think that the energy that they’re giving us is helping to propel us forward into the season.”
“I don’t feel it’s pressure right now. I feel it as support. And I don’t feel it’s any additional pressure based on any professional team and the willingness of its athletes to win. I think the biggest thing for us is to be able to go and engage with our community, put on a performance that fans are proud of while understanding that we’re still in preseason mode, and looking to get ready and everything for the start of the regular season.”
*Some of this quote has been paraphrased for clarity purposes.
See the footage below for the full media availability ahead of the team’s NWSL debut against San Diego Wave FC in the ‘expansion derby’.
Also, feel free to completely ignore the point when I forgot to unmute myself on Zoom. We’re only 2 years remote working into a pandemic, no reason why I should know to unmute myself right?
*Credit to Angel City FC for the above video asset.
Building foundations
The key for Angel City sustaining their support is going to be success on the field. This roster certainly seems set up to do that. Christen Press is the star name, but there’s so much more to this roster. The likes of Ali Riley, Dani Weatherholt and Sarah Gorden provide experience and quality. There have been some big name additions for sure, which will have undoubtedly done a lot to whet the appetite of supporters.
Christen Press on her excitement for the new season
This is an exciting roster, and one that cannot wait to get going following a grueling, but ultimately fruitful preseason. Press’ comments to the assembled media, at the club’s pre-game presser, testified as much:
“We very much value having a long preseason and having an opportunity to train and come together as a team, but just as a competitor and as a group of competitors, we’ve just been chomping at the bit to get to the first game. So we’re very excited and grateful to be playing in the Challenge Cup as a tune-up and a bridge to measure how far in this league. It’s going to be fantastic and (we) kick off (against) the rival, our new rivalry with San Diego. So we’re looking forward to it.
*Some of this quote has been paraphrased for clarity purposes.
This is a club that certainly looks set to replicate all the glitz and the glitter of the Hollywood Hills. And I for one cannot wait.
Written by Dan Berridge
Thanks for reading.
Check out more NWSL content by clicking HERE.
Follow Sporting Her on social media, links below:
