Following Angel City FC’s historic win in their inaugural season opener Friday night at Banc of California Stadium, Sporting Her was invited to sit in on practice leading up to next Sunday’s game against Orlando.
When discussing Friday’s 2-1 win against the North Carolina Courage the consistent theme for Head Coach Freya Coombe and team was the powerful energy radiating throughout the stadium.
After a year off this thing, I’m back to say my team @weareangelcity sold out last night 22,000 in LA, won our opening league match in history 2-1 against North Carolina against one of the most successful teams in @NWSL history. That’s the tweet!!!! Bursting with pride. pic.twitter.com/0gv6u0vLsj
— Eniola Aluko (@EniAlu) April 30, 2022
The gravity of the inaugural home opener was not lost on goalkeeper DiDi Haračić, “How can’t you be excited.” Haračić, who refers to herself as a disrupter, focuses on her family and small town upbringing of Round Hill, Virginia to bring perspective to such a monumental moment. A ten season veteran, Haračić says, “…all those hardships, all those mental breakdowns, have built me to be here. This is why I’m here…I’m creating history. We are building this historic moment.”
The history being built in Los Angeles, is not lost on Angelenos. The symbiotic relationship between player and fan, has always proved invaluable in creating big moments in professional sports. One such celebrated moment was Angel City’s first ever goal by defender Vanessa Gilles, a header in the third minute. Gilles states, “The reaction that came about after the goal was just surreal. I think that the energy that came off of every single person in that stadium, I think you could hear it. It gives me the chills.”
🔊 SOUND ON 🔊
Just listen to that ROAR as @VanessaGilles’ header hit the net. #AngelCityFC
(via IG/cliffordwilliam) pic.twitter.com/XfcEKheZnz
— 110 Football (@110football) April 30, 2022
The powerful roar of the stadium did not slow, Angel City played before a sold out stadium, 22,000 in attendance. Energy swelled again when Jun Endo the 21 year old forward from Japan; who assisted Gilles goal, and was named Angel City’s Player of the Match; scored the team’s second and winning goal not long after in the thirteenth minute.
How does a team riding the wave of a storybook season opener prepare for the challenges ahead? According to Haračić, “brick by brick. This weekend is another brick to lay down.” Two time FIFA World Cup champion and Los Angeles native Christen Press refers to the Friday night game as a pinnacle for many people, but for the team with their eyes on the playoffs and twenty plus games to get there, Press continues, “For us it was the first game. For us to reset and refocus, is really the key.”
Indeed the practice at William Rowland Stadium in Thousand Oaks California, seemed energized and excited. Players and staff felt lighthearted and cheerful, but ready to put in the work for a successful season; collectively having a positive perspective ahead.
The women of ACFC are dynamic and powerful, paving a new era of football, as one of the NWSL’s 2022 expansion teams. Friday may have been just the beginning, but fans are ready to rally for the rest of the season. Angel City FC’s next game takes place Sunday May 8th at Banc of California Stadium against the Orlando Pride.
Written by Haley Becerra
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