As if it were the premiere of a great Hollywood movie, Angel City FC began its journey in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) this Friday. and made the dream of Natalie Portman come true, leading a group of entertainment stars to bring women’s soccer to Los Angeles.
With a nearly full Banc of California stadium (22,000 capacity), Angel City enjoyed the ideal debut as they defeated North Carolina Courage 2-1 in the midst of a splendid atmosphere and absolute party.
“I know it’s only the first game, but this is a moment I’ll never forget,” Angel City captain Ali Riley said after the game.
“No matter what happens this season, no one can take this night away from us and this crowd. Feeling that was incredible, ”she said very emotionally and on the verge of tears.
Vanessa Giles headed in and in the 3rd minute she scored Angel City’s first goal (Japanese Jun Endo scored the second just 10 minutes later), but that wasn’t the only historic thing tonight.
In a city that is increasingly devoted to football (cwith Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández’s LA Galaxy and Carlos Vela’s LAFC), Angel City has caused a sensation since the project was announced in July 2020 with a small founding group led by Natalie Portman.
“Seeing my son idolize players like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan in the same way as Leo Messi or Karim Benzema I realized that supporting athletes could quickly make a cultural change, ”the actress told The Guardian in March.
With a clear feminist and anti-racist vocation, Angel City incorporated among its investors, with an overwhelming majority of women, Hollywood and music stars (Eva Longoria, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Chastain or Gabrielle Union) and sports figures (Serena Williams, Lindsey Vonn, Mia Hamm, Candace Parker or Abby Wambach).
Fans responded enthusiastically as more than 15,000 season tickets were sold before the season began, but it remained to be seen what Angel City’s first day on the Banc of California pitch would look like.
Before the game started, the Angel City organized a festival for the fans around the stadium and there was also a “pink carpet” (the color that, together with black, dominates the team’s brand) through which team investors such as Jennifer Garner, Billie Jean King or Becky G passed.
“Angel City! Let’s go LA! I’ve cried at least four times today,” Becky G joked on Twitter.
Additionally, Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes) and Tia P. performed the team’s anthem, “Running with the Angels,” live.
“My teammates were screaming (after the game) and crying with joy, and that was everything for me,” midfielder Dani Weatherholt said.
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