Angel City FC debuted the club’s inaugural home kit Wednesday morning, unveiling a classic black jersey signifying a new day at the expansion club.
“The story behind our first jersey is this is really our dawn,” said Katie Eaton, ACFC’s VP of Commerce & Fan Experience. Emblazoned with a geometric sunrise pattern, the kit is meant to represent “a new dawn for us and women’s sports as well.”
While Angel City’s first jersey embodies a timeless look, the kit is also filled with intricate details paying homage to the club’s home of Los Angeles. The Sol Rosa-etched art deco pattern is a nod to the architecture of L.A., with the design’s outline mirroring the official city flag.
The jersey was created with fans and, most importantly, players in mind, using Nike Dri-Fit technology with breathable side panels, a silhouette also featured on the U.S. women’s national team jerseys.
For Eaton, the most rewarding part of the kit design process, which began in March, has been bringing all the small details and ideas to fruition.
“It is that final piece coming together, just nice execution across the board,” she said. “I also think it’s a timeless, classic look.”
“Volemos,” the team’s mantra which translates to “let’s fly” in Spanish, appears on the nape of the neck as a reminder “to always keep flying to greater heights together.” The motto is complemented by the Angel crest embroidered on the top left of the kit, depicting a winged angel in flight.
The club’s origin story, in which Natalie Portman was famously inspired by a speech from soccer icon Abby Wambach on the inequalities between men’s and women’s sports, is woven through the jersey. Portman and the ACFC founding groups’ shared mission of amplifying women’s sports serves as inspiration for both the club and their kit.
“Our inaugural jersey will be one for the history books,” Angel City founding investor Abby Wambach said in a team statement. “This sets a new and rightful standard on what women’s sports are worth and what a team can mean to the community.”
Fellow founding investor and USWNT legend Julie Foudy echoed Wambach’s sentiments, saying she is excited for the public to finally see the jersey.
“It looks so good,” Foudy said. “I am going to rock it in the stands like the crazy fan that I am going to be. We have been talking about this for so long and it is finally here.”
Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, the top displays three jersey sponsors: DoorDash, grocery store chain Sprouts and footwear company Birdies. Under the club’s unique sponsorship model, Angel City re-invests a 10 percent share of every deal back into the local community.
“Between these three sponsors, over the next several years, there is going to be nearly $2 million going back into the Los Angeles community,” Eaton estimates.
In October, Angel City also launched the Player 22 Future Program while retiring the No. 22 jersey from play. The program is designed to help retired NWSL players secure jobs in sports after their playing careers are over. The club will sell a special No. 22 jersey, with 10 percent of proceeds going directly into the program.
Angel City FC’s home 2022 jerseys will be available for purchase starting in the new year. Fans can start filling out pre-order forms on the team’s site.
