Angel City Football Club has struggled through the NWSL schedule.
With 16 games remaining, ACFC is in 11th place, but close enough to a playoff spot that all is not lost.
“We are three points out of a playoff spot, which I would say is a huge blessing and gift considering our first half of the season,” defender Elizabeth Eddy said. “I find a lot of hope in that.”
With NWSL play on hiatus until late August, Angel City will turn its attention to the first NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup as a path to what it hopes is another second-half rally.
Angel City will kick off the new tournament Saturday at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium against Club América in the opening game in Group A.
“It’s huge,” Angel City coach Becki Tweed said. “To be able to continue to play while the Olympics is going on without playing league games is really important.
“I really like that we’re playing teams that are outside of the NWSL and I hope that it’s something that can grow in time so that you don’t end up playing NWSL teams. That would be really cool.”
Bay FC and San Diego Wave FC are also in Angel City’s group.
“I think it’s really exciting that we get to play a team from outside the NWSL tomorrow (Saturday). I’m excited for that, and the team is excited for that. It’s a little different and refreshing in comparison to the Challenge Cup or even to the latter part of this cup for us.”
Angel City will visit Bay FC on Friday and then conclude group stage play Aug. 1 back at Titan Stadium against San Diego Wave FC.
“I would like to see more external teams from outside the league in it, but I know that’s a process and it takes time to grow out,” Tweed said. “So I think that it is a huge positive that we do get to see a different team.
“Overall it’s a positive. I think we have to play in these next six weeks and it’s a way that we all get to play and continue to get opportunities as a group, but also for our individual players.”
There are five groups of four teams. At the end of group play, the top four teams (on points) advance to the semifinals Aug. 6. Winners will advance to the final Oct. 25.
Club América has won the Liga MX title twice – the Apertura in 2018 and the Clausura in 2023. The women’s Liga MX tournament started in 2017 and has grown rapidly since.
“The growth’s been crazy,” Tweed said,. “It’s so healthy for women’s sports and women’s football globally. When you start to look at some of the players at Club América and some of the other players that are going into the league, it’s just huge.”
Press and Phair update
Angel City fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of forwards Christen Press and Casey Phair. That moment will likely come during the Summer Cup.
Press, who has been out since June 2022 after tearing her ACL followed by complications, has rejoined the team training.
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“She’s still progressing through her return to play process,” Tweed said. “I think she and we will know when the time is right for her to step back on the field and get some minutes. It starts with progressing her through training. We’re still tracking her progress, so it’s definitely going to be at least another week on the field with the team.”
Phair, who has played more games this season with South Korean national team, picked up a “knock” in training.
“I expect to see a good amount of minutes for her in this tournament,” Tweed said.”
CLUB AMERICA vs. ANGEL CITY FC
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Titan Stadium, Cal State Fullerton
How to watch: Paramount+