Three Players to Watch: Angel City FC

(image via Angel City FC)

The Houston Dash will take on Angel City for the second time this season after losing in Los Angeles a couple of months ago. Here are three Angel City players to keep an eye on in the match.

Gisele Thompson

Thompson is enjoying the best season of her young professional career in her third year in the league. Through nine matches, the USWNT fullback has already contributed three goals and one assist, putting her on pace to easily surpass her previous attacking numbers.

Although she’s technically a defender, the 20-year-old has become a crucial part of her team’s attack, often stepping up in key moments to help drive results, just as she did against the Kansas City Current midweek.

Emily Sams

Sams endured a slow start to the season, but the veteran center back has steadily returned to the form that made her such an important player last year. In recent matches, she has delivered in critical moments, whether through timely clearances, defensive organization, or contributing goals from the back line.

Her growing confidence alongside Sarah Gorden has helped solidify the defense, giving the team a much more reliable foundation and making life increasingly difficult for opposing attackers.

Evelyn Shores

Shores has quietly been one of the team’s most important players this season. While her fellow fullback Thompson often grabs the headlines, Shores’ work behind the scenes has played a major role in allowing that success to happen.

She may not be the flashy, attack-first fullback that modern fans often focus on, but Shores consistently does the little things well. From winning possession and making interceptions to progressing the ball forward and delivering dangerous passes into the box, her all-around contributions have made her an invaluable piece of the team.