In case you have been living under a rock, the 2023 Women’s World Cup has begun, wrecking sleep schedules all across the West Coast. With a handful of players representing various countries, those looking to support Angel City FC from afar have probably found themselves up before the sun to catch the action. If you have prioritized sleep, allow us to fill you in on all that has been going on with your Angels in the tournament thus far.
Congratulations @NZ_Football and @RileyThree! 🥹🫶 https://t.co/GyYehrryPS
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) July 20, 2023
We start where the World Cup started, watching Angel City FC Captain Ali Riley, and her New Zealand Ferns making history. Riley, who is also the Captain for her New Zealand side, played all 90 plus minutes in the Nation’s first-ever win at the FIFA World Cup. Getting the first-ever World Cup win as a nation is huge on its own, but to do so in the opening match of the tournament as the hosts, is the stuff of movies. The 1-0 win over Norway puts the Ferns in full control of their destiny. While the road is still daunting, they have a real opportunity to find themselves in the knockout rounds, as the hosts. How amazing would that atmosphere be?
Teammates for Club & Country
We now shift to the US Women’s National Team. Veteran midfielder Julie Ertz is making her third World Cup appearance, while forward Alyssa Thompson is making her World Cup debut at just 18-years-old. The USWNT absolutely dominated Vietnam in their opening match. Not allow a single shot, the US cruised to a 3-0 win. Julie Ertz got the start at defender for the squad. Thompson made her World Cup debut in the 75th minute of the match, coming on as a sub. The US look the favorites to come out of their group, setting up for an exciting knockout round.
Alyssa Thompson stepped on to the pitch and our watch parties went wild!@commonspaceLA @TarantulaHill
Homebound Brew Haus pic.twitter.com/Wccrti6qqF— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) July 22, 2023
Loanees getting physical
While not technically Angel City FC players at the moment, we still feel the need to keep you up to date on how they are faring in World Cup action. Jamaican defender Allyson Swaby, and Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles both competed in two of the more physical matches of the tournament so far. Both played to scoreless draws, however both came away from match one feeling completely different.
Gilles made the start for Canada in their 0-0 draw with an incredibly feisty Nigeria side. The match had a combined 22 fouls, three yellow cards and a red card before the final whistle, but no goals. Canada will be feeling the pressure after the draw, as they look to snap back into form before finding themselves knocked out of the tournament. Swaby also started in central defense for her Jamaican side, though their 0-0 draw felt a lot better. Going up against France, The Reggae Girlz started off as the aggressors but as France settled in, so did Jamaica, playing to defend and counter-attack. Taking a point off France is huge, however the road to getting out of the group is still tough with Brazil and Panama left to play.
“The Earth is shaking from the #AngelCityFC fans in California” — Danielle Slaton https://t.co/DxHxi4zomH
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) July 22, 2023
Superstar Rising
The biggest star of the tournament so far from Angel City has undoubtedly been forward, Jun Endo, who has actually been deployed as a midfielder for Japan. Making just her second World Cup appearance, Endo put on a show, and helped her team to a comfortable 5-0 win to open up the tournament. Not only did she get an assist on the team’s second goal of the match, she found space and bagged a goal of her own before the final whistle. The performance opened up a lot of eyes, and had people buzzing about the ACFC forward. More performances like this, and the question will be whether or not a position change is needed upon her return to Los Angeles.