NWSL Angel City FC

Angel City Football Club Preseason Quotes

Published on February 10, 2023 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Angel City FC News Release


Quotes from Angel City FC Assistant Coach Becki Tweed, Midfielder Dani Weatherholt, Defender Paige Nielsen, Forward Simone Charley, and Forward Claire Emslie on Preseason and the Club's 2023 Schedule

ACFC Midfielder Dani Weatherholt

On the home opener:

"I am very excited for the home opener. We thought the first game might have been Gotham last year, but now that it is this year, the hype is going to be really fun. I just can't wait to get back in front of the fans. I miss it so much."

The game she is most excited about:

"I am really looking forward to Pride night. I just remember last year it was on a Tuesday and it was packed. I remember the music and the energy, just everything about it was awesome. I am so excited about that again."

On additions to the roster:

"I think we have some great additions this year. I am stoked about Merritt. She comes from a winning culture in North Carolina and she has that grit and competitiveness. She has immediately enhanced our training environment."

"Alyssa has been doing great. You can tell she is a great player. She makes her own decisions. She doesn't let other players influence that. You can tell she is confident and she is fast as hell. I am really excited to see her out there."

On how this preseason differs from last year:

"Last year we started from ground zero. We have a foundation now and a lot of the same core players. The biggest difference was that it was an expansion year and we were aiming for a certain amount of points. This year there are no more excuses. We are being held to a higher standard this year and there isn't the grace period of being an expansion team."

ACFC Forward Simone Charley

On the upcoming season now that the schedule has been released.

"I'm really excited about actually knowing when the home opener is. Getting in front of the fans again is something that we're all looking forward to. Now that we have an official date that we could put on the calendar in time, the countdown starts now and I'm pretty excited."

On how preseason has been so far during the first two weeks of training:

"It's been going really well, and we have a good group again. We've had a lot of new faces, both players and coaching staff, so it's been great getting in the rhythm, getting to know how other players play their tendencies, how the staff roles and those relationships.

"For us it's about building a new foundation, while at the same time building off of last year's and the marriage of those two while getting prepared for the season."

On who you look forward to playing the most:

"Of course the San Diego Wave FC match. That rivalry is something I think we're all excited about and want to continue to just get after it. That Southern California rivalry is something that's really important to this community and I love representing L.A. in a rivalry that's so big for us."

ACFC Forward Claire Emslie

On the upcoming season now that the schedule has been released:

"I'm so happy. The first game is at home and I miss playing in front of our fans. I'm excited to get back out there. I'm focused on the first match and look forward to taking it one game at a time. It's been a tough two weeks of training, and we're building up our fitness, but overall it's been fun to be back."

On having the whole preseason to prepare with the club:

"It's good to have the time in the preseason to connect with the players while learning how to gel and play with them on the field. Obviously, last year I joined Angel City mid-season and it was just straight into games. We didn't really have time to do much apart from just play. It's nice to build those connections and then perform better on the field as a team."

ACFC Defender Paige Nielsen

On being healthy for preseason:

"It has been so much different. I feel way more involved with the team. It has been so exciting to be part of our growth in preseason. I know we will continue to grow, but preseason is where the bonds form.

On getting to play in the home opener this year:

"There was nothing like watching the first game last year, I can't wait to play in BMO Stadium. Our fans are incredible and I am so thrilled to be a part of this team, which is a family to me."

On the difference in culture between the two seasons:

"Last year, everyone came from a different team. Whether it was coaches, staff, players. We all had different ideas of what a team was and a culture was and to bring all of those ideas is really hard for the first year. We learned a lot about each other last year, and are still learning about each other this year and it takes time, but we are setting a different precedent."

"We have established a team culture, identity from the front office to on the field. And I couldn't be more excited to see it all come together.

The game she is most excited about:

"I would say I am most looking forward to playing Portland, the reigning champs. Since we play them away first, I want to take it to them in their own stadium."

ACFC Assistant Coach Becki Tweed

On working with a new team:

"It's a really good group of players that want to continue to push on from last season as well as challenge each other and us everyday. They're a hard working group, so it's really enjoyable so far."

On reuniting with Head Coach Freya Coombe and Goalkeeper Coach Daniel Ball:

"It's a good balance to have familiar faces, but also to have new staff members as well. For me personally, being able to come into an environment that I'm already able to be myself from day one because I already have the connections, has been great."

"In the last year to 18 months since I've worked with them, all of us have grown, so it's good to get us back together again and continue our growth while adding pieces like Melissa Phillips and Eleri Earnshaw. Overall, the staff dynamic is really great."

On playing against ACFC last season and having the chance to witness the environment on the home side:

"Yes, I'm super excited. I've been to BMO Stadium two or three times and every time has been such an incredible experience. The fans, the city, the vibe as a player and as a coach is such an incredible experience."

"It's like having a 12th man with you and I'm really excited for it to feel like home."

On the schedule and any game she is looking forward to the most:

"This league is amazing, and every game is a new challenge to prepare for. Every season something looks different to what it looked like the previous year. Obviously, our first game of the season is Gotham and I don't know if that's a coincidence but it's exciting. The home opener is always fun and yes I'm looking forward to every game, but my first opener with ACFC at BMO Stadium will be special and I look forward to it."

Check out the Angel City FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 10, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central