The Angel City Football Club (ACFC) battled with grit and energy to defeat Racing Louisville FC 3-2. ACFC honored Juneteenth prior and during this match. Angel City forward Sydney Leroux noted how the win felt “poetic.”
During their Juneteenth Match, Angel City FC defeated Racing Louisville 3-2 pic.twitter.com/MXa84QVOun
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) June 20, 2024
“I’m so proud to be Black and play for this team and to be able to be celebrated today, it was amazing,” Leroux said. “I’m so happy to be here, to still be here and to still help my team in any way that I can.”
At the 85th minute, Leroux launched a shot from the center of the box that hit the bottom left of the net, Alyssa Thompson earned an assist from the play. This on-target shot is the 45th career in-season goal for Leroux; she is now tied for ninth in the all-time scoring list with Debinha.
“It’s been a wild ride and I’m just so proud and honored that I get to still be doing what I love in front of amazing people with amazing teammates,” Leroux said.
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The first goal was made in the 17th minute by midfielder Kennedy Fuller on an assist by defender Madison Curry. This was the first NWSL goal for the 17-year-old Fuller.
“It was a fun time to do it and I think it’s a little ironic, the 17th minute kind of showing up a lot,” Fuller said. “One of the biggest things that I’ve felt and I continue feeling with Angel City is support.”
During the pregame street fair, the Black Women’s Player Collective hosted a panel with the hosts of the podcast Shea Butter FC and soccer players Domi Richardson and Jamia Fields.
“I think it’s just great to be able to mix our two organizations together and hopefully have a more fruitful partnership in the coming year,” Richardson said. “They do great stuff for the community.”
To honor Juneteenth, Angel City FC held a panel hosted by Black Women’s Player Collective. It featured Jamia Fields, Domi Richardson and the hosts of the Shea Butter FC podcast pic.twitter.com/bXLtuYn8DE
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) June 20, 2024
The Black Women’s Player Collective is a group for Black females who play in the NWSL.
“Our mission is to make sure that everybody feels empowered to play,” said Kayla Mills, who was moderator of the panel. “That the little Black girls out there … even if they don’t see a lot of us on TV but they know that we’re out there.”
The panelists talked about their backgrounds and what they loved about the game of soccer. They also advised people on trying to achieve their dreams.
“Black Women’s Player Collective, I think it’s a great organization to be a part of and it’s awesome to be highlighted, so thank you Angel City for that,” Fields said. “Anytime I get a time to talk about my journey and just to inspire young girls, specifically young Black girls, I love to get my story out there.”
Angel City now has a 4-3-6 overall record, they head to Northern California to battle Bay FC on June 22 at 7:00P.M.
