Since its inception, Angel City FC have strived to be one of the more special places to play in the NWSL. And while some teams may talk about wanting to have a family atmosphere, the Los Angeles-based club is one of the places where those wishes have become reality.

From sold-out stadiums to programs meant to help players in their careers and beyond, Angel City FC have set a standard off the field while being one of the better-faring expansion teams on it. The club finished eighth in last year’s standings, just outside of a playoff spot in their first season.

“There are so many reasons why I think Angel City is special but for me I think it’s just given me a platform to talk about what’s important to me,” captain Ali Riley told Just Women’s Sports. “It’s given me so many resources, I’ve been able to connect with a community that’s given me so much. I’m just really proud to represent my city of LA and give back to the community.”

Such a stellar first year could be tough to beat – but not impossible.

“It’s really hard because last year exceeded all expectations, it was just one of the best years of my life,” Riley said. “But I really want to start to play even better soccer, score more goals and to make the playoffs.”

Sydney Leroux, who was traded to Angel City halfway through last season from the Orlando Pride, has enjoyed getting to experience her first preseason with the club. She adds that the family environment has been “amazing.”

The 32-year-old forward is focused on staying healthy this year after dealing with an ankle injury last season. She hopes to play a full season in Angel City’s frequently sold-out home stadium, she said.

“The moment that I stepped on the field for the first time, it was unbelievable. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life,” she said of her first game with Angel City. “It’s such a family environment, I love being part of this team, part of the club…

“The family vibe we have here, I think it’s amazing to be a part of. Our stadiums are full, and our fans really love us and we love them back.”

As the team looks the game from its debut campaign, it will be able to lean on new additions such as No. 1 overall pick Alyssa Thompson, who already made waves in her professional debut despite being just 18 years old. Other rookies also have been making an impact, Riley said, and she has noticed a higher level of play compared to last year.

“The rookies are great, Alyssa [Thompson] is a sensational player scoring her first goal in our first game back at BMO. And I think they’re just gonna push the level even higher, set the standard higher so that we can compete, and again have a better season this year,” she said.

Leroux concurred with Riley’s assessment.

“I think we stepped our game up a little bit, and I’m really excited to see what we put together on the field,” she said.

This year also likely will include some time away for the World Cup for Riley, who plays for the New Zealand women’s national team, and for other players. But Riley notes that her club team has been instrumental in helping with preparations for the upcoming tournament.

“It is a privilege to be splitting time because I am so excited for this World Cup, especially being at home [in New Zealand],” Riley said. “And I have the benefit of having such amazing Angel City teammates, so when I’m here training it’s preparing me for when I go away with the national team.”

Wimbledon is leveling up, as the annual London-based Grand Slam announced Thursday that it's increasing its purse by 7% across the board in 2025, pushing the total prize money to £53.5 million ($72.59 million) ahead of tennis tournament's June 30th kick-off.

Both the 2025 women's and men's singles champions will earn winner's checks in the amount of £3 million ($4.07 million) — an 11.1% increase over the amount won by 2024 champ Barbora Krejčíková.

With increases across all Slam events, from singles and doubles to wheelchair competitions, even athletes who stumble early will see a raise over last year's competition.

For example, singles players ousted in this year's first round will take home 10% more than in 2024, earning deposits of £66,000 ($89,530).

The 2025 total purse now doubles the prize money offered by the tournament a decade ago, and makes Wimbledon the biggest potential payday across all four of the sport's Grand Slams.

"We're immensely proud of the fact that, if you look back 10 years, you can see the increase over that period and 7% this year," said All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club chair Deborah Jevans. "And we have listened to the players, we have engaged with the players."

Teen swimmer Summer McIntosh made a major splash at the 2025 Canadian Swimming Trials, shattering three world records in just five days of competition in Victoria, BC.

First on Saturday, the Toronto swimmer shaved 1.2 seconds off the Australian Ariarne Titmus's 400-meter freestyle mark to set a new world record time of 3:54.18.

Then on Monday, McIntosh took down a decade-old record in the 200-meter individual medley (IM), becoming the first woman swimmer to complete the race in less than 2:06.00.

Just two days later, the 18-year-old McIntosh broke her own 400-meter IM world record, besting her 2024 Canadian Olympic Trials time by 0.73 seconds with a 4:23.65 race Wednesday.

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With her unstoppable week-long performance, McIntosh became the first swimmer to set three new world records in different individual events at one meet since US legend Michael Phelps's historic run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Going into tonight, I knew I could do something really special because this has probably been the best meet of my career," McIntosh told reporters after Wednesday's race.

That said, the young star is already eyeing new times — and new records.

"Overall, [I'm] happy with the time, but I know I can go faster," said McIntosh following her 400-meter IM performance. "The faster I swim, the happier I am."

The NWSL Championship is on its way back West, with the league announcing on Friday morning that the 2025 title match will kick off from PayPal Park in San Jose, California.

Hosted at the home pitch of 2024 expansion team Bay FC, the game will take place on Saturday, November 22nd.

In addition to the championship match, the 2025 NWSL season's final weekend will include a variety of supporting events like Fan Fest and the annual Skills Challenge competition.

"We're thrilled to bring the NWSL Championship back to the West Coast and to a region with as rich a history in women's soccer as the Bay Area," said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman in a league statement.

Citing a long list of former USWNT stars with local ties, including Julie Foudy, Kelley O'Hara, and Alex Morgan, Bay FC co-founder Brandi Chastain — a US legend herself — called the Bay Area "the place women's soccer calls home."

"Our community's fabric is woven with the greatest the game has to offer," explained Chastain.

"This community's passion for the game, combined with the excitement surrounding one of our newest teams in Bay FC, makes it the perfect setting to celebrate the league's top talent and crown our next champion," said Berman.

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How to attend and watch the 2025 NWSL Championship

Like last year, the 2025 NWSL Championship will air in primetime, with CBS set to broadcast the match live at 8 PM ET on November 22nd.

Tickets to the game will be available for purchase beginning in August, though interested fans can sign up for presale access online now.

The NWSL and WNBA Players Associations teamed up to release a joint statement on Thursday, with the unions expressing their solidarity with "all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity" after the recent ICE raids and ensuing protests in Los Angeles.

The move comes after Angel City published their own social media post addressing the ICE raids last Saturday, with the Los Angeles NWSL club noting "We know that our city is stronger because of its diversity and the people and families who shape it, love it, and call it home."

ACFC also directed immigrants in need of assistance in the wake of the ICE raids to two community organizations: the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights and the LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Calling the WNBA Players Association "leaders in this space," NWSL Players Association executive director Meghann Burke told The Athletic that the basketball union initiated their joint statement.

"It's important to stand together as workers' unions," she noted.

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NWSL and WNBA unions speak to families impacted by ICE raids

"It's not lost on us that this country and the world are in turmoil right now," wrote the NWSLPA and WNBPA. "Across the country, families are facing fear, hardship, and uncertainty tied to immigration."

The athlete unions then crystallized their position, saying, "We stand with all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity, no matter where they come from or where they hope to go."

"Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect," they continued. "We know not every situation is simple. But offering compassion should never be up for debate."