Angel City Football Club enters the 2025 season without a permanent head coach, with several new pieces on the roster and a strong returning nucleus.
It will certainly be an interesting start to the season, kicking off Sunday against San Diego Wave FC at BMO Stadium.
Here are five questions facing the club, heading into the fourth season.
Is Angelina Anderson ready for the starting goalkeeper job?
The short answer is the front office thinks so. Anderson, 23, was the starter early last season, her second in the NWSL. After some early mistakes, she was replaced by DiDi Haračić. Fast forward to 2025, Anderson, who started the year with a call-up to a USWNT camp, signed a three-year contract through 2028 and was named the team’s Vice-Captain. “It gives me confidence in knowing that I will be here for a little while and provides some security,” she said. “It’s great to know that the club and its management have confidence in me and that provides a great foundation for me when I get out there. It gives me the ability to feel like this is my team, my spot. Now I can really focus and work every day to step into that role.” Behind Anderson on the depth chart is second-year Hannah Stambaugh and rookie Breanna Norris.
2. Who is Sam Laity and can he get the season started on the right foot?
Laity arrived in January as the team’s interim coach. Sporting Director Mark Parsons said Laity will be in charge until June, when the permanent hire will be made. Laity was an assistant with the Seattle Reign for 10 seasons (2013-22). He was hired in December 2022 as coach of the Houston Dash, but was fired 10 months later. He didn’t balk at this opportunity. “There was no hesitation on my behalf,” he said of taking the interim job. “It was straightaway yes. I absolutely loved this opportunity and threw myself at it. Everybody’s aligned and pointing in the same direction, so that’s very positive.”
3. Can Christen Press regained her scoring touch?
Press made her long-awaited return last season after two years recovering from multiple surgeries. As expected, her minutes were limited, recording just 203 total in nine matches. She scored one goal, a classic Press goal, cutting in from the right wing and beating the keeper with a laser to the far corner. It will be interesting to see what will contribute this season.
4. Can Angel City unlock its offensive attack?
If there’s one thing Angel City has lacked in the brief existence, it’s a dedicated goal scorer. In three seasons, Angel City has scored 23, 31 and 29 goals. Last year’s total was in 26 games. The individual season high is seven. Claire Emslie and Sydney Leroux each hit that number last year. Last season, Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga led NWSL with a league -record 21 goals. Angel City might not have a 20-goal scorer, but with the numerous offensive weapons – like Emslie, Leroux, Press, Alyssa Thompson, Kennedy Fuller and Julie Dufour – the combined total should increase this season. Also, midfielder Jun Endo, who is starting the season on the injury list, should be back at some point this season.
5. How will it all play out?
A lot will depend on the start under Laity and then the midseason adjustment to whomever is hired as the permanent coach. Other than that, Angel City has to find the right combination on the back line, with eight active defenders on the roster, in front of Anderson, who has to lock up the goalkeeper spot. It also needs to figure out the right pieces in attack. Anything less than 30 collective goals is going to place the team in a tough spot. Nothing is easy in the NWSL, but Angel City has the talent to make things easier on itself, unlike last season.
SAN DIEGO WAVE FC at ANGEL CITY FC
When: 3:50 p.m. Sunday
Where: BMO Stadium
TV: ESPN2
