The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has officially welcomed Angel City Football Club (ACFC) as its 11th expansion team, the league announced Wednesday. The league previously shared the news that it was giving Los Angeles a team in July, and now the deal is done.
“We could not be more pleased to have reached this exciting milestone of officially joining the
league and introducing the world to Angel City Football Club,” Julie Uhrman , ACFC
founder and president said in a statement. “I am also thrilled to announce some additional founding investors who have already been contributing meaningfully to the Angel City Family. This group, aligned in our passion and purpose, is committed to delivering for Los Angeles and our fans on and off the pitch.”
The initial 14 investors reportedly rallied together in three days this summer to lay the foundation for ACFC. The new members of the board include several with personal ties to Los Angeles. They are fierce women such as tennis legends Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, WNBA star and Los Angeles Sparks legend Candace Parker and her daughter Lailaa, gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn, Latin pop sensation Becky G and actress Sophia Bush. The men showing their support as investors include comedian James Corden, hockey star P.K. Subban, Los Angeles soccer legend Cobi Jones and NFL standout and USC champion Ryan Kalil.
Los Angeles hasn't seen professional women's soccer since the brief life of the Los Angeles Sol, part of the Women's Professional Soccer League. In 2010, the team folded after one season. But the soil remained rich for talent as USWNT champion Alex Morgan hails from Southern California.
The announcement of Angel City Football Club continues the growth of the beautiful game in Los Angeles as LAFC became the city's second MLS team when it started play in 2018. The rivalry with the championship-winning LA Galaxy was instant as El Tráfico has helped spur local interest in the global game. The large Latino population of Los Angeles (nearly half the city), helps cultivate the culture of the beautiful game with large enthusiasm for the Mexican and South American national teams. The Galaxy welcomed Mexican soccer star Chicharito to its squad in January.
Angel City Football Club is scheduled to start play in 2022.