What better way to open up the 2025 NWSL season than with a SoCal rivalry? After a busy offseason of rebuilding for both Angel City and the San Diego Wave, the two teams will face each other this Sunday at BMO Stadium.
The 2024 season was disappointing for both teams. The Wave finished 10th out of 14 teams, while Angel City fell to the 12th spot.
Ever since both teams’ inaugural seasons in 2022, the Los Angeles-San Diego rivalry has grown. Angel City holds a 3-2-1 (W-L-D) all-time record against the Wave. Their 2024 meetings ended in a 0-0 draw in May and a 2-1 Angel City victory in August, with forward Alyssa Thompson scoring twice early in the second match.
Angel City: Offseason Changes and Key Players
Angel City ended the 2024 season with a 7-13-6 record. Determined to improve, the team made major changes, including firing head coach Becki Tweed, hiring Mark Parsons to be the team’s sporting director and opening a multi-million dollar performance facility.
In January, Parsons told the L.A. Times that when it came to finding a new head coach for the team, he was more concerned about finding the right coach than finding one within a certain time frame.
On March 6, Parsons emphasized not rushing the process.
“I believe the head coach will be here in June,” Parsons told ESPN.
Angel City appointed Sam Laity in mid-January to be the interim coach. Laity spent nine years as an assistant head coach for the Seattle Reign from 2013-22 and was hired by the Houston Dash as head coach for the 2022-23 season. After he couldn’t lead the Dash to even five wins in 18 games, he was fired before the season concluded.
Angel City will be the only NWSL team that will start the season with an interim head coach.
Angel City Roster
Goalkeepers: Angelina Anderson, Breanna Norris, Hannah Stambaugh
Defenders: Elizabeth Eddy, Vanessa Gilles (INTL-CAN, ON LOAN), Sarah Gorden, Hannah Johnson, Savy King, Miyabi Moriya (INTL-JPN), Megan Reid, Ali Riley (SEI), Gisele Thompson, M.A. Vignola
Midfielders: Jun Endo (SEI, INTL-JPN), Kennedy Fuller, Madison Hammond, Macey Hodge, Alanna Kennedy (INTL-AUS), Lily Nabet, Katie Zelem (INTL-ENG)
Forwards: Julie Dufour (INTL-FRA), Claire Emslie, Sydney Leroux, Maithé López (INTL-COL, ON LOAN), Casey Phair (U18), Christen Press, Alyssa Thompson, Riley Tiernan
Key: International Player (INTL), Season-Ending Injury (SEI), Under 18 (U18), STC: Short Term Contract
Key Players for Sunday
During the offseason, forward Christian Press, the team’s first-ever player signing, agreed to a one-year contract that would go through 2025.
“LA, it was always you. This city’s strength and resilience inspires me, and I could not be more proud to represent LA—my home city—when I step out onto the pitch this season,” Press said in the team’s media release.
As a top-10 scorer all-time in NWSL, two-time World Cup winner, Olympic bronze medalist and impactful United States Women’s National Team player, Press’ experience and leadership will be necessary for the first game of the season.
Along with Press, veteran forward Sydney Leroux will also apply pressure against the Wave’s defenders.
Alanna Kennedy is a new roster addition from Manchester City who can lead the younger defenders like Savy King and Gisele Thompson in the backline.
Goalkeeper Angelina Anderson’s execution on Sunday could be a big indicator of how Angel City’s season will go. Anderson only started three of 26 matches during the 2024 season because Didi Haračić was Angel City’s dominant goalkeeper. But Haracic signed a one-year contract with the Wave earlier this year.
San Diego Wave
The Wave similarly made changes following a frustrating season that ended with a 6-13-7 record.
As of Jan. 7, Jonas Eidevall is the new head coach of the Wave. Eidevall has been a coach for more than a decade and most recently managed the Women’s Super League club Arsenal. Under his leadership, the team won back-to-back FA Women’s League Cup titles (2023, 2024).
The Wave also lost two of their most valuable players: Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma. Morgan, recognized as one of the greatest soccer players ever, announced her retirement near the end of the 2024 season. And, Girma, one of the sport’s top defenders, signed a $1.1-million deal to play for Chelsea F.C. – the most expensive signing in women’s soccer, according to Sports Illustrated.
San Diego Wave Roster
Goalkeepers: Hillary Beall, DiDi Haračić, Kailen Sheridan
Defenders: Trinity Armstrong (U-18), Sintia Cabezas (LOAN), Nya Harrison (STC), Hanna Lundkvist (INTL – SWE), Quincy McMahon, Kristen McNabb, Perle Morroni (INTL – FRA), Kennedy Wesley
Midfielders: Kimmi Ascanio (U-18), Gia Corley, Kenza Dali (INTL – FRA), Favour Emmanuel (INTL – NGA), Jordan Fusco (STC), Savannah McCaskill
Forwards: Melanie Barcenas (U-18), Trinity Byars (SEI), Kyra Carusa, Delphine Cascarino (INTL – FRA), Mya Jones (INTL – CAN, LOAN), Adriana Leon (INTL – CAN), Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (INTL – NGA), Makenzy Robbe (Doniak), María Sánchez
Key: International Player (INTL), Season-Ending Injury (SEI), Under 18 (U18), STC: Short Term Contract
Key Players for Sunday
Canadian forward Adriana Leon’s ability to create opportunities on the pitch for herself and her teammates is going to be important for this upcoming matchup. Leon’s speed and attacking presence will force Angel City’s defenders to stay reactive throughout the game.
Midfielder Savannah McCaskill is another player to keep an eye on. McCaskill played two seasons with Angel City (2022 and 2023) before signing with the Wave for the 2024 season. McCaskill’s familiarity with Angel City players like Sarah Gordon, Sydney Leroux and Christian Press may be an advantage for the midfielder.
The Wave also has rising talent straight out of college like defenders Trinity Armstrong and Quincy McMahon. This premier game allows fans to see how well they handle pressure from players who have been in the league longer than they have.
Even though both teams have made their adjustments coming into the 2025 season, a successful head coach in Eidevall for the Wave gives the team an advantage over Angel City going into Sunday’s game.