By: EFE Updated 30 Apr 2022, 10: 24 am EDT
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 Natalie Portman’s dream come true, who, leading a group of entertainment stars, has brought women’s soccer to Los Angeles.
With a practically full Banc of California stadium (it has capacity for 22.000 spectators), Angel City enjoyed the ideal debut as they defeated by 2-1 to the North Carolina Courage in the midst of a splendid atmosphere and an absolute party.
“I know that it is only the first game, but this is a moment I will never forget,” Angel City captain Ali Riley said after the game.
“No matter what happens this season, no one will be able to take this night away from us and this fans. on. 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 only 10 minutes later), but that was not the only historical thing tonight.
In a city that is increasingly overturned with soccer (with 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 100 were sold . subscriptions before the start of the season, but it was missing to see what it would be like the first day Angel City set foot on the Banc of California pitch.
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 along with black dominates the team brand ) through which team investors such as Jennifer Garner, Billie Jean King or Becky G.
“Angel City! Let’s go LA! I’ve cried at least four times today,” Becky G joked on Twitter.
In addition, Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes) and Tia P. presented 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”, assured the midfielder Dani Weatherholt.
Also read:
“I will hurt him as much as I can”: Dmitry Bivol’s threat against Canelo Álvarez one week before the fight
Joel Embiid suffers an orbital fracture and concussion after a strong blow and will be indefinitely discharged from the 76ers ( Video)
Historical night: The Mets of New York launches the second game without a hit or runs in its history