The time has finally arrived, the start of the 2023 Women’s World Cup is upon us. With all team rosters now set, we can take a look at the Angel City FC players who have departed sunny Los Angeles for the winter of New Zealand / Australia for this year’s tournament.
Join us as we cheer on @RileyThree at our first-ever Women’s World Cup Watch Party!
📍33 Taps Silverlake & Culver City locations
🥳 Party start at 11 PM on Wednesday, 7/19
⚽️ Kickoff at midnight#WeAreAngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/M201ALsb6a— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) July 11, 2023
(C) Defender, Ali Riley – New Zealand
We start with not just the captain for Angel City, but a representative of the host Nation, defender Ali Riley. The veteran defender is no stranger to the World Cup stage. Having played in the U-20 World Cup in 2006, before making her senior team World Cup debut just a year later in 2007. She has been a fixture for the Football Ferns ever since. This year marks her fifth World Cup appearance (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023). Make sure you have plenty of coffee stocked up, as the local times for these matches will provide with the latest ‘After Dark’ energy NWSL fans on the West Coast have experienced.
Group Stage:
New Zealand v Norway – Thursday, July 20 12:00am PT (FOX, Telemundo)
New Zealand v Philippines – Monday, July 24 10:30pm PT (FS1, Universo)
Switzerland v New Zealand – Sunday, July 30 12:00am PT (FOX, Telemundo)
Midfielder Julie Ertz, Forward Alyssa Thompson – USWNT
We now move to the perennial favorites just about every time they take the pitch, The United States Women’s National Team. The USWNT come into this tournament looking to secure World Cup trophy number five. There is added motivation this year, with USWNT superstar Megan Rapinoe, announcing this tournament would be her last, as well as the last year of her football career, once the NWSL comes to a close. Julie Ertz is making her third World Cup appearance with the US, having already been part of not one, but two World Cup winning sides (2015, 2019). Her Angel City teammate, Alyssa Thompson, is making her USWNT World Cup debut this year. The 18-year old has done nothing but continue to rise the ranks since her NWSL debut, and will definitely be one ACFC fans keep tabs on the most.
USWNT v Vietnam – Friday, July 21 6:00pm PT (FOX, Telemundo, Universo)
USWNT v Netherlands – Wednesday, July 26 6:00pm PT (FOX, Telemundo, Universo)
Portugal v USWNT – Tuesday, August 1 12:00am PT (FOX, Telemundo)
Forward Jun Endo – Japan
Endo is another player who hit the scene as a youngster. She was part of the U-20 World Cup winning Japan side in 2018 where she scored two goals. This is the second world cup for the 23-year-old, who played three of the four matches for Japan as the youngest on the squad at the time. Endo has expressed her time with Angel City has helped her in playing football a bit more freely, and given her talent, should make for a great watch at this year’s tournament.
Zambia v Japan – Saturday, July 22 12:00am PT (FS1, Universo)
Japan v Costa Rica – Tuesday, July 25 10:00pm PT (FS1, Universo)
Japan v Spain – Monday, July 31 12:00am PT (FOX, Telemundo)
Defender Vanessa Gilles – Canada
While not technically an Angel City FC player (currently on loan in France with Lyon), defender Vanessa Gilles is being considered an Angel at heart for this tournament. The Canadian international is making her World Cup debut for the side after joining in 2019. She played a crucial role in winning the 2020 Olympic Gold Medal for Canada, and now looks to create more magic on an even bigger stage.
Nigeria v Canada – Thursday, July 20 7:30pm PT (FOX, Universo)
Canada v Republic of Ireland – Wednesday, July 26 5:00am PT (FS1, Universo)
Canada v Australia – Monday, July 31 3:00am PT (FOX, Telemundo)
Defender Allyson Swaby – Jamaica
Swaby is a player that, inexplicably, has seen little to no action as a member of Angel City FC. Swaby departed ACFC before this season, heading to France on loan with PSG. Despite not much run with the Angels, Allyson has become a staple for Jamaica. This year marks her second World Cup appearance, after playing every single minute of every match for the Reggae Girlz in 2019. If you want to see what it would like to have yet another uber-talented defender in the side, make sure you take a look at Swaby throughout this tournament.
France v Jamaica – Sunday, July 23 3:00am PT (FOX, Telemundo)
Panama v Jamaica – Saturday, July 29 5:30am PT (FOX, Telemundo)
Jamaica v Brazil – Wednesday, August 2, 3:00am PT (FS1)
Who are you most excited to see? Leave a comment below!