LOS ANGELES—Angel City FC is steadily carving out its identity within the vibrant tapestry of Los Angeles. This past Wednesday, the team celebrated its third annual Juneteenth Celebration before they clashed with Racing Louisville, turning the evening into a heartfelt homage to history and community.
In the warm embrace of the California sun, Exposition Drive buzzed with excitement. Families and friends, united by their love for Angel City, filled the streets, turning the space outside BMO Stadium into a lively street fair. Passioned by joy and love, local vendors, sponsors, and the Black Woman’s Player Collective (BWPC) collaborated to create an atmosphere teeming with camaraderie. The air was filled with the mouth-watering aromas of diverse food vendors, the engaging discussions from BWPC panels, and the laughter of fans enjoying mini-soccer games.
“The number of kids here who are wearing Crystal Dunn jerseys [2014 National Women’s Soccer League Most Valuable Player and Golden Booth winner], or who are wearing their favorite player’s jerseys, is like they see themselves [in those players],” Angel City season-ticket holder Brittany Shaw said. “It’s just about showing the community that we’re here in your backyard, and you should come through.”
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With another year of celebration, the club remains adamant about “honoring the legacy and resilience of Black people in history while envisioning a future filled with empowerment and prosperity for Black communities.”
“It’s awesome to be a part of a team that’s willing to celebrate it, but also embrace an organization like the BWPC and collaborate with them in order to do things like that,” Angel City FC defender Maddison Hammond said.
Angel City remains resolute in its mission to honor the legacy and resilience of Black people while envisioning a future brimming with empowerment and prosperity for Black communities. This commitment was clearly felt as the players took to the pitch. Amidst the fierce competition and the game’s high stakes, a powerful moment of unity shone through. Players from both teams donned collaborative Juneteenth. pre-match tops, designed by the NWSL and BWPC, symbolize freedom, resistance, and strength
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“It’s my favorite event because of the visibility we get,” Shaw said. “[Angel City] gets people from all over the city who want to come to be a part of it and see what this team is.”
In a sport where visibility can often be lacking for Black athletes, these moments are more than symbolic; they are crucial steps toward inspiring future generations. A study from Zippia in April 2021 revealed that white professional soccer players dominate the field in the U.S. at 72.8%, with Black athletes making up only 8.9%.
Yet, this figure shows a growth from the early 2010s, where in 2011, Black players accounted for just 6.9%.
“If you can see it, you can be it,” head coach Becki Tweed said. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of all the movements.”
Angel City’s work with BWPC is a testament to its dedication to building an inclusive and empowering culture around women’s soccer. The BWPC, founded by Black women soccer players in the NWSL, aims to advance opportunities for Black girls in sports and beyond. Among its passionate leaders is Angel City’s own Jasmyne Spencer, a respected veteran defender and environmental advocate.
“To be able to partner with Angel City in a number of different ways at our Fan Fest and during the game is really exciting,” Spencer said. “It’s a testament to both organizations. They want to increase visibility and make sure the sport is as inclusive as possible.”
The tangible result of this commitment was seen in the enthusiastic turnout for Wednesday night’s Juneteenth match, with 16,735 fans filling the stands. The infectious energy, driven by the spirited chants and beats of. Rebellion 99, coursed through the stadium, propelling Angel City forward.
Capitalizing on the crowd’s energy, Angel City rode the surge to capture their first win in over a month at the golden foot of forward Sydney Leroux.
“It’s poetic, Juneteenth. I scored the game-winner,” Leroux said. “I’m so proud to be black and to play for this team.”
