The 2026 NWSL season is officially here! Angel City FC took the pitch for the first time today, at home, as they hosted Chicago Stars in a match that was one part revenge for how last season ended, and five parts looking to make a statement and start off the new campaign with a win. The vibes couldn’t have been better coming into the season, and now it was time for it to translate onto the pitch in a season where Angel City were looking to turn the corner and evolve into a proper postseason contender. Mother Nature had her new Angel City kit on full display with the sun beaming on what was a picture perfect Sunday for some soccer, the pitch was as close to pristine as possible, and the players and fans alike were ready to get the new season underway.
ARE WE READY CHAT?!
#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvCHI | #AngelCityFC
— Angel City FC (@angelcity.com) March 15, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Through the first 20 minutes of the match, it was clear, this isn’t the same Angel City side that we have seen in years past. One thing Head Coach Alex Straus stressed throughout his first half in the NWSL, was that he wanted this team to be the aggressors. Win, lose, or draw, he wanted his team to play pretty football, and play with an air of confidence. We saw that throughout the first part of the first half as Angel City controlled the match and had the majority of looks at goal early. That aggression paid off in the 33rd minute when Kennedy Fuller, who was playing more of an attacking role as opposed to her natural midfield role, took on the Chicago defense and found just enough space to let it fly from just inside the box. The shot had enough pace to get past Alyssa Naeher for the first goal of the new season, and the early lead.
Kennedy Fuller’s got the footwork.
Kennedy Fuller’s got the strike.
Kennedy Fuller’s got Angel City’s first goal of 2026!— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) March 15, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Chicago worked hard to find the equalizer, putting the pressure on and finding a few looks at goal, but Angel City kept defensive shape well and stood strong to take the one goal lead into the halftime break. Much like the first half, Angel City came out for the second half aggressive and on the hunt for a second goal. Once again, that aggression was met with its reward as the team had a sequence where they earned four straight corner kicks, and on the fourth attempt it was Kennedy Fuller with the perfect ball into the box where a leaping Evelyn Shores was there to meet it with a strong header that sent the ball into the back of the net in the 53rd minute to double the lead for the home side.
Kennedy Fuller drops the dime 👩🍳
Evelyn Shores heads it in 🎯 pic.twitter.com/nU791497ot— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2026
We were treated to a great moment in the 63rd minute as defender Savy King made her official return to the pitch, subbing on for Emily Sams, and greeted by a huge ovation from the fans. The good vibes got even better just moments later, when in the 66th minute Chicago tried to play out the back and was met by Ary Borges who took the ball from the defender, and slotted it home from close range to make it 3-0, while opening her Angel City account.
It’s a goal 🥹 pic.twitter.com/3M2nnRlNW0
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2026
The rout was on and it didn’t slow down, literally. Sveindís Jónsdóttir used her pace to fly past the defense as she got closer to the goal. Instead of going for the fairly difficult angle, she crossed the ball back into the center of the box where Maiara Niehues was there to slam the ball past Naeher in the 70th minute for the fourth goal of the evening, scoring her first of the season.
There’s a scoring party in LA 🥳
Maiara Niehues makes it a 4-0 game! pic.twitter.com/v4QPJdf8Jr
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2026
The party in Los Angeles kept going until the final whistle. While there were no more goals scored, the four goals already accounted for were more than enough for the statement Angel City came in looking to make. Sure, part of this match is how much of this was Chicago being bad versus how much is truly about Angel City improving, but for anyone who saw this team the last few seasons, it is clear as day that 2026 is shaping up to be a vastly different Los Angeles side, in the best way possible. Now, the team can enjoy the result and prepare for their first road trip of the season as they travel north to take on rivals, Bay FC next weekend.
Thoughts on the big win at home for Angel City? Drop a comment for us below!