Angel City FC has officially joined the NWSL.
Welcome to the party, @weareangelcity
Get the details on the #NWSL's newest addition below— NWSL (@NWSL) October 21, 2020
An expansion team landing in the glitz and glam of Los Angeles was announced in July. while speculations and suggestions for the official name were rumored for months. Natalie Portman — one of the many extraordinary investors of the team — dropped the name during a late-night interview with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday.
Natalie Portman reveals the name of her new women’s professional soccer team that is coming to Los Angeles in 2022! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/VwKHdfKwXF
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) October 21, 2020
Portman’s interview was the prologue to a social media whirlwind that ensued Wednesday morning. With the sensational storm came a tidal wave of new investors whose names might ring a bell.
The list includes:
- Former World No. 1 Tennis Player Billie Jean King
- Former World No. 1 Doubles Tennis Player Ilana Kloss
- WNBA Legend Candace Parker
- Gold Medalist Skier Lindsey Vonn
- NHL All-Star PK Subban
- Latin Pop Star Becky G
- Actress Sophia Bush
- Actor James Corden
- USMNT Soccer Legend And Broadcaster Cobi Jones
- NFL All-Pro Ryan Kalil
The full list of announcements can be found here.
The fellow professional sports teams in Los Angeles welcomed the newest arrival on Twitter on Wednesday morning.
Welcome to the next evolution.
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 21, 2020
The Los Angeles soccer scene can't be matched
Welcome, @weareangelcity! We can't wait for 2022 https://t.co/e7pdGrE9mu— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) October 21, 2020
Officially official.
Welcome to Los Angeles, @weareangelcity! https://t.co/Mv1yyjntZC— LAFC (@LAFC) October 21, 2020
We LOVE to see it!
Welcome to the SoCal squad @weareangelcity https://t.co/fnBI0iRdzr— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) October 21, 2020
welcome to the city https://t.co/BDh9Qye5HB
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 21, 2020
It’s official! Welcome to Los Angeles, @weareangelcity @Candace_Parker and Lailaa join a group of powerful women investing in the future of equality in sports.#AngelCityFC | #GoSparks pic.twitter.com/PXg5P5gvrx
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) October 21, 2020
Making it official!
Welcome home, #AngelCityFC! https://t.co/xh02EVhcl5— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 21, 2020
Angel City FC plans to become much more than just another soccer team. ACFC investor Billie Jean King said in a statement the club will be a beacon of hope and inspiration to young girls playing the world’s game.
“We need everyone to invest in women’s sports and Ilana and I are proud to stand with the Angel City FC ownership group and help make new history in Southern California sports. Angel City's mission to make an impact on and off the field, and to provide an opportunity to some of the best professional female athletes in the world to play on a stage as powerful as Los Angeles, sends a strong message to young girls in the community and beyond,” King said.
Angel City FC will begin play in 2022.