Introduction to Angel City’s New Talent
Ever since she visited Los Angeles with her national team three years ago, Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir knew she wanted to play in the National Women’s Soccer League one day. When the opportunity to play for Angel City presented itself, Jónsdóttir was eager to join the league and play for new Angel City coach Alexander Straus. “When Angel City came up, I was just really excited about it,” she said. “I know Alex. I played against him when he was at Bayern and so I knew he was a great coach.”
New Additions to the Team
Three new players have joined Angel City (4-3-6) during the past few months, delivering an infusion talent for a team that sits in 11th place in the 14-team NWSL standings. The league’s top eight teams advance to the playoffs. Jónsdóttir, a forward with Icelandic national team experience, signed with Angel City on May 21. After finishing her stint with Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, Jónsdóttir joined her first Angel City practice on Tuesday afternoon. Midfielder Evelyn Shores, who most recently played for the University of North Carolina, signed with Angel City on July 10. She has played for the U-23 U.S. women’s national team. Goalkeeper Hannah Seabert, who was Sporting Clube de Portugal’s captain earlier this year, signed with Angel City on May 30 and has been training with the team for three weeks.
Hannah Seabert’s Journey to Angel City
Seabert, a Riverside native and Pepperdine alum, spent most of her career playing abroad and wanted to return to the United States. “As soon as Angel City opened up several years back, I just knew it was a team I wanted to be a part of,” she said of the franchise that began play in 2023. When Seabert’s contract with Sporting CP expired, she pursued her goal of joining Angel City. “When I came and visited here a couple weeks ago, it felt like a home away from home,” she said. “The facilities are amazing and the girls were so welcoming. It just felt right when I came here.” Angel City goalkeeper Hannah Seabert kicks the ball during a friendly against Bay FC on July 19 at PayPal Park in San Jose. (Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Aligning with the Team’s Vision
Angel City sporting director Mark Parsons said the new players earned contracts because they aligned with the vision for the future of the club: winning. “Who are the players that we believe represent where we’re going and can play for Angel City when we’re fighting for trophies,” Parsons said, referring to the question Angel City leaders asked before signing any new players. While the new players present an infusion of fresh talent, Angel City also is benefiting from the return of a familiar face. Forward Jun Endo, who tore her ACL in February 2024, played for the first time in 18 months during a friendly against Bay FC on Saturday. Endo was on the pitch for 30 minutes and scored the only goal of the game. Angel City’s Jun Endo dribbles the ball during a friendly against Bay FC on July 19 at PayPal Park in San Jose. (Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Expectations for the Team’s Future
Straus said he expects Angel City to evolve and move closer to achieving its long-term championship goals with the new signees and Endo available to play. Angel City, which is in the midst of an international break, plays a friendly Saturday against Carolina Ascent FC and resumes NWSL competition on Aug. 1 at Seattle Reign FC. “Its not just about filling a roster,” Straus said. “We need quality. We need people who can make a difference for us and so we hope they will do this for us. We will be good now, but we will be better in January.”
Conclusion
With the addition of new talent and the return of key players, Angel City is poised to make a significant impact in the NWSL. The team’s focus on winning and its commitment to bringing in high-quality players are key factors in its quest for success. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how the new players integrate into the team and contribute to its overall performance.
FAQs
Q: Who are the new players that have joined Angel City?
A: The new players that have joined Angel City are Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, Evelyn Shores, and Hannah Seabert.
Q: What is the current standing of Angel City in the NWSL?
A: Angel City is currently in 11th place in the 14-team NWSL standings.
Q: Who is the new coach of Angel City?
A: The new coach of Angel City is Alexander Straus.
Q: When does Angel City resume NWSL competition?
A: Angel City resumes NWSL competition on Aug. 1 at Seattle Reign FC.
