Since Angel City FC gathered for the start of preseason on Feb. 1, the NWSL expansion club has been putting a team together on the field and building a close-knit group off of it.
Just Women’s Sports got a behind-the-scenes look at that chemistry last Friday during Angel City’s media day. As the players rotated through stations, they stopped by the JWS setup to pose for photoshoots, fill out our survey (feat. personal questions and team superlatives) and share some laughs. Not every player on the roster was able to spend the day with us, but we did enjoy a surprise appearance from sporting director Eniola Aluko.
Before the club kicks off the NWSL Challenge Cup on Saturday against San Diego Wave FC, we present to you Angel City FC, Class of 2022:
Nicknames: Bope, Brezza Favorite quote: “Stay hungry, stay humble”
Best Dressed: Allyson Swaby Most Likely to Win 1v1: Simone Charley Class Clown: Cari Roccaro Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Just “Jun”
Nickname: Stefy Favorite quote: Gambate Kudasai (“Do your best”) Best Dressed: Lily Nabet Most Likely to Win 1v1: Jun Endo Class Clown: Cari Roccaro & MA Vignola Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: V Favorite quote: “Hard work beats talent” Best Dressed: Christen Press Most Likely to Win 1v1: Savannah McCaskill Class Clown: Cari Roccaro Best Trash Talker: Vanessa Gilles Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Hammy or Mads … never Maddie 🙂 Favorite quote: “Don’t stop until you’re proud” Best Dressed: Sarah Gorden Most Likely to Win 1v1: Savannah McCaskill Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Tyler Lussi
Nickname: Deeds Favorite quote: “To believe is to be strong” Best Dressed: Simone Charley Most Likely to Win 1v1: Christen Press Class Clown: Me Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Brit Favorite quote: “It’s not the critic who counts” Best Dressed: Lily Nabet Most Likely to Win 1v1: Christen Press Class Clown: Ali Riley Best Trash Talker: Savannah McCaskill Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Ty Favorite quote: “Fierce mindset” / “Whistle to whistle, give 100% every day” Best Dressed: Sarah Gorden Most Likely to Win 1v1: Tyler Lussi Class Clown: Cari Roccaro Best Trash Talker: Vanessa Gilles Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Sav Favorite quote: “If you ain’t first, you’re last” Best Dressed: Sarah Gorden Most Likely to Win 1v1: Christen Press Class Clown: Didi Haračić Best Trash Talker: Vanessa Gilles Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Lil Best Dressed: Lily Nabet Most Likely to Win 1v1: Lily Nabet Class Clown: Cari Roccaro Best Trash Talker: Vanessa Gilles Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: P-Nasty
Best Dressed: Allyson Swaby Most Likely to Win 1v1: Simone Charley Class Clown: Cari Roccaro Best Trash Talker: Didi Haračić Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Cer Favorite quote: “It won’t matter in five years” Best Dressed: Allyson Swaby Most Likely to Win 1v1: Christen Press Class Clown: Myself (sorry) Best Trash Talker: Lily Nabet Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Savannah McCaskill / Ali Riley
Nickname: Jas Favorite quote: “Clear minds, full hearts, can’t lose” Best Dressed: Stefany Ferrer Van Ginkel Most Likely to Win 1v1: Jun Endo Class Clown: Cari Roccaro Best Trash Talker: Vanessa Gilles Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Savannah McCaskill
Nickname: Ally or Swaby Favorite quote: “If what you see is all you see, you don’t see all there is to be seen” Best Dressed: Sarah Gorden Most Likely to Win 1v1: Cari Roccaro Class Clown: Vanessa Gilles Best Trash Talker: Savannah McCaskill Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Dan, D-Dubs Favorite quote: “Let’s have fun today” Best Dressed: Allyson Swaby Most Likely to Win 1v1: Vanessa Gilles Class Clown: Cer (Cari Roccaro) Best Trash Talker: Didi Haračić Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley
Nickname: Eni, Eni Penny, Enigma Favorite quote: “Never let success get to your head or failure to your heart” Best Dressed: Christen Press Most Likely to Win 1v1: Vanessa Gilles Class Clown: Cari Roccaro Best Trash Talker: Cari Roccaro Most Likely to Give a Pump-Up Speech: Ali Riley