One and done is typically something we only see on the collegiate side of sports. However, Angel City FC experienced this with one of their own, and in gutting fashion. Rookie defender Madison Curry had a phenomenal first season in the NWSL, putting together a standout season that left all of Los Angeles, and the league as a whole, in awe of the Princeton product. The club drafted Curry at 51st overall in the last-ever NWSL Draft last year, giving the Orange County native a chance to shine for the hometown team.
Rookie Madison Curry gets her first NWSL goal! pic.twitter.com/muBdj0qO1L
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 30, 2024
Breaking out as a rookie on any team is hard enough in a league like the NWSL, but doing so as a defender on a team with veterans like Sarah Gorden and Ali Riley, with USWNT prospects like Gisele Thompson, makes it even harder. That is exactly what Curry did this season, putting herself in the regular rotation, and by the end of the season was a sure-fire starter and looked to be steadily climbing into that ‘best defenders in the league’ status. Curry appeared in 22 matches this season, making 20 starts for Angel City as a rookie. She wasn’t just out there as a body either, she was putting in work from day one, opening eyes and having us all wonder how she was available all the way at 51.
Curry finished the season leading the team in several categories. She finished leading the team in tackles (45), aerial duel wins (119), and had the most interceptions in defense with 43. She did finish second best with 89 clearances, but she was the only defender in the league to tally at least 75 clearances with 45 tackles won. More so than the impact she had on the pitch for the team, was the impact she had off of it. It didn’t take long for Curry to become a fan favorite, with many, including us here, excited to see her growth and improvement in the years to come. Learning from someone like Sarah Gorden while forging her own name among the LA backline. If you asked anyone, she was a player that many felt was a priority in re-signing this offseason. Unfortunately, free agency giveth, and it taketh away. This time, it took away something special from Los Angeles.
Always part of the ACFC family 💪🖤
Thank you, Madison Curry. pic.twitter.com/A7t41gDf5Z— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) December 3, 2024
After just one glorious season with her hometown, Curry tested free agency and didn’t look back. In early December it was announced the standout defender signed a multi-year contract with West Coast foes, Seattle Reign. The Reign, coming off a rough season, looked to rebuild and reload, and wasted no time in poaching the rapidly rising rookie defender from LA. While it will hurt to see her in a different kit so soon, it will still be exciting to watch her grow as a player. While breaking into the USWNT isn’t easy, just ask Sarah Gorden, Curry will almost definitely be given a legit look in the years to come.