Carolina Ascent to play NWSL side Angel City FC July 26  

CAROLINA ASCENT

Rylee Baisden and her Carolina Ascent teammates will play Angel City FC in Los Angeles in the second match between USL Super League and NWSL teams.

The Carolina Ascent will travel to Los Angeles for a friendly against Angel City FC on July 26.

It will be the second-ever match between USL Super League and NWSL sides, the United States’ top-tier women’s leagues. Gotham FC hosted Super League side Fort Lauderdale United on Feb. 27, just before the start of the NWSL season in March. FTL was two games into the second half of the Super League season at the time. Charlotte advanced to the USL Super League semifinals; Angel City is ninth in the NWSL after 11 matches.

The Angel City-Ascent match comes during a mid-season international break for the NWSL from June 23-Aug. 1. The Ascent will be in pre-season training.

With nine teams in USL-SL next season, the Ascent are the only team not playing on Aug. 23, the first matchday of the new season. They open Aug. 30 at Fort Lauderdale, the team that ousted them in the semifinal.

The Ascent roster includes three Southern California natives, including forward Rylee Baisden from Yorba Linda, and defender Sydney Studer from Corona, both east of LA, and midfielder Taylor Porter from San Diego. Defender Jill Aguilera is from Redwood City, between San Francisco and San Jose.

“We are really looking forward to our upcoming game against Angel City,” said Ascent coach Philip Poole said in a statement. “As the 2024/25 USL Super League shield winners, it will be a pleasure to take on one of the world leaders in women’s professional football in a competitive friendly.”

Angel City’s first NWSL season was 2022. Though the team’s highest regular season finish was fifth in 2023, they average over 19,000 fans per game. Angel City is known for the star power of its ownership group, as well as its high-profile roster, which includes current and former U.S. National Women’s Team players Alyssa Thompson, Giselle Thompson, Croix Bethune, Christen Press, and Sydney Leroux. 

The ownership glamor starts with Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife, former TV journalist Willow Bay, whose $50 million investment last summer valued the club at $250 million, making it the most valuable women’s professional team in the world. It continues with A-list actresses including Natalie Portman, America Ferrera, Sophia Bush, and Eva Longoria, along with former star soccer players including North Carolina alumni Mia Hamm, Lorrie Fair, and Tisha Venturini.

“We are excited to host the Carolina Ascent and introduce them and the USL Super League to our incredible fan base,” ACFC sporting director Mark Parsons said. “The development of talent in this country is growing rapidly as is the popularity of women’s football. The USL Super League is creating additional opportunities for professional play, and we look forward to welcoming them as our featured home friendly match.” 

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