Angel City Overhaul: What New Leadership Means for the Club’s Future

Angel City Football Club (ACFC) has always been more than just a soccer team. From its inception, the club has positioned itself as a champion of equity, innovation, and community. But recent shifts within the club, including ownership changes, coaching changes, and recent player trades and additions have left fans wondering–what does the future of ACFC look like? Does the club have what it takes to climb up from the bottom and lead the league?

A Season to Forget

ACFC’s disappointing 2024 season, finishing 12^th overall, a mid-season high-profile trade of Paige Nielsen, violation of league rules leading to fines and suspensions, and reports of internal disagreements and lack of clear direction have all contributed to the team’s on and off-field struggles.

New Ownership, New Direction?

In July 2024, it was announced that USC Annenberg School of Communications & Journalism Dean Willow Bay and her husband, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, would be the new controlling owners of the club. As one of the richest women’s sports teams in the world already, it seems that an influx of even more capital from Bay and Iger could signal not just financial changes but power and leadership moves as well.

“We are excited to build on ACFC’s momentum and help the club advance its goals on and off the pitch,” Bay said in a press release.

While Angel City’s off-field accomplishments—such as its groundbreaking sponsorship deals and investment in social causes—have earned widespread praise, its on-field performance has faced scrutiny. The team missed playoff contention in 2024, and fans have expressed concerns about the lack of consistency in player development and coaching strategies. Floods of comments on social media call for ACFC to “clean house” and deal with the front office, specifically team ownership. Calls came both before and after the following moves, which received mixed reviews from fans:

• Oct 15: Merritt Mathias announces retirement
• Dec 5: Club parts ways with GM Angela Hucles Mangano
• Dec 9: Club parts ways with Head Coach Becki Tweed
• Dec 10: Club does not renew the contracts of Jasmyn Spencer, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Katie Johnson (retirement), and DiDi Haračić
• Dec 16: Club parts ways with Goalkeeping Coach Omar Zeenni
• Dec 17: Club signs French Forward Julie Dufour
• Dec 20: Club announces trade of Raquel “Rocky” Rodríguez to KC Current
• Dec 23: Club signs Midfielder Macey Hodge
• Jan 6: Club names Laura Flynn as Chief Revenue Officer
• January 15: Club names Mark Parsons as Sporting Director
• January 21: Club signs Defender Alanna Kennedy
• January 27: Club trades Messiah Bright

As a hint to the club’s forward-looking vision, on January 21, the club unveiled its brand-new training facility at California Lutheran University, the largest of its kind in the NWSL.

In a statement, Bay said that while this state-of-the-art training center sets the bar for club performance, this type of facility should really be the norm–women’s sports should have access to this kind of facility.

The facility features:

• A 5,400-square-foot gym equipped with brand-new performance and sport science technology in addition to direct pitch access with roll-up doors
• Custom lockers for players, coaches, staff, and a dedicated locker room for players under 18
• New hydrotherapy area including cold and hot plunge pools and saunas
• A private outdoor relaxation lounge
• A 3,400-square-foot medical treatment and rehabilitation area, a private recovery room, private doctor’s office and medical staff offices
• Elevated nutrition area for athletes to fuel with fresh, nutritious meals prepared onsite
• Children’s playroom to support the families of players and staff
• Custom pre- and post-training nutrition and supplement area
• A 930-square-foot team meeting and film room
• Coaching and performance offices for soccer operations staff
• A fit-for-purpose studio onsite for content capture and interviews
• A custom boot wall

So, with the huge turnover of players, coaching staff, and management, plus the announcement of the new facility, what does this mean for ACFC’s future?

Interim Head Coach Sam Laity comes to ACFC from Seattle Reign (2013-2022) and Houston Dash (2022) and was Laura Harvey’s primary assistant. His long tenure in coaching could bring a fresh perspective to ACFC’s lineup. Yet, for some fans, coaching changes aren’t enough. They want to see more changes in the front office, which they believe is calling the shots.

Despite the challenging season and shifting dynamics, Angel City’s commitment to its Los Angeles community remains at the heart of its mission. ACFC joined other LA sports teams to donate $8 million to fire recovery efforts in the area. The club, in partnership with the Los Angeles Parks & Recreation Department, has also launched “Angel City Impact,” an initiative focused on “shattering the barriers to play in US soccer.”

Angel City’s journey is still in its early chapters, but the club overhaul marks a pivotal moment. Fans, players, and stakeholders are looking for the opportunity to rally behind a vision that could set new standards in women’s sports globally.

Featured image via Angel City on Facebook

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