1 00:00:02,086 --> 00:00:03,629 [TV static drones] 2 00:00:03,629 --> 00:00:05,757 [bright tone] 3 00:00:11,888 --> 00:00:14,849 [cheers and applause] 4 00:00:20,021 --> 00:00:21,939 Natalie Portman! 5 00:00:21,939 --> 00:00:23,816 [cheering] 6 00:00:23,816 --> 00:00:26,861 One, two, three! 7 00:00:26,861 --> 00:00:28,154 [all clapping rhythmically] 8 00:00:28,154 --> 00:00:30,406 [all shout] 9 00:00:30,406 --> 00:00:33,659 [cheering] 10 00:00:33,659 --> 00:00:36,454 I never imagined that I would have anything to do 11 00:00:36,454 --> 00:00:38,581 with professional sports... [laughs] 12 00:00:38,581 --> 00:00:40,958 Certainly not that I'd be a co-owner, 13 00:00:40,958 --> 00:00:44,545 co-founder of a professional women's soccer team. 14 00:00:44,545 --> 00:00:48,341 But it's been one of the most extraordinary experiences 15 00:00:48,341 --> 00:00:49,675 of my life. 16 00:00:49,675 --> 00:00:52,678 [contemplative music] 17 00:00:52,678 --> 00:00:55,389 ♪ ♪ 18 00:00:55,389 --> 00:00:56,516 {\an8}And here are 19 00:00:56,516 --> 00:00:57,850 {\an8}the all-male nominees. 20 00:00:57,850 --> 00:00:58,851 {\an8}[laughter, clamoring] 21 00:00:58,851 --> 00:01:00,520 {\an8}- Taking center stage at the Golden Globes 22 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:02,855 {\an8}was the Time's Up movement. 23 00:01:02,855 --> 00:01:04,398 We've drawn a line in the sand 24 00:01:04,398 --> 00:01:06,359 that says this is not acceptable anymore 25 00:01:06,359 --> 00:01:08,653 and things that we lived with and took for granted 26 00:01:08,653 --> 00:01:09,987 as the way world was-- 27 00:01:09,987 --> 00:01:11,864 that's changed. 28 00:01:11,864 --> 00:01:13,366 {\an8}One of the Time's Up events 29 00:01:13,366 --> 00:01:15,493 {\an8}was with the U.S. Women's National Team, 30 00:01:15,493 --> 00:01:19,497 {\an8}who were valiantly fighting for equal pay. 31 00:01:19,497 --> 00:01:23,334 {\an8}And you just see this extraordinary talent 32 00:01:23,334 --> 00:01:25,545 {\an8}and this extraordinary potential. 33 00:01:25,545 --> 00:01:26,963 {\an8}[cheers and applause] 34 00:01:26,963 --> 00:01:29,882 {\an8}And yet, it's so shockingly undervalued. 35 00:01:29,882 --> 00:01:33,261 [cheering] 36 00:01:33,261 --> 00:01:36,013 These are the best players in the world 37 00:01:36,013 --> 00:01:39,225 that are huge, huge stars. 38 00:01:39,225 --> 00:01:41,686 Still, people are like, 39 00:01:41,686 --> 00:01:43,729 "There's a soccer league in the U.S.?" 40 00:01:43,729 --> 00:01:45,356 It's the NWSL. 41 00:01:45,356 --> 00:01:46,524 Tymrak tries to again-- 42 00:01:46,524 --> 00:01:49,235 trying to apply the pressure, and it's gone in! 43 00:01:49,235 --> 00:01:51,571 That is an extraordinary goal. 44 00:01:51,571 --> 00:01:52,905 The league value 45 00:01:52,905 --> 00:01:56,492 and the team values were just staggeringly low. 46 00:01:56,492 --> 00:01:59,412 They weren't getting what they deserved for broadcasting, 47 00:01:59,412 --> 00:02:04,375 for advertising, for sponsorship deals. 48 00:02:04,375 --> 00:02:05,835 And it wasn't just the money. 49 00:02:05,835 --> 00:02:07,420 The players weren't getting 50 00:02:07,420 --> 00:02:10,256 the right workplace protections. 51 00:02:10,256 --> 00:02:12,466 [crowd cheering] 52 00:02:12,466 --> 00:02:16,429 We started thinking, well, what if we built a team? 53 00:02:16,429 --> 00:02:18,264 What would it look like 54 00:02:18,264 --> 00:02:20,600 to try and build this a different way? 55 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:21,976 We want this to succeed. 56 00:02:21,976 --> 00:02:24,103 We want all the teams to succeed. 57 00:02:24,103 --> 00:02:26,272 We want the players to succeed 58 00:02:26,272 --> 00:02:29,567 and for them to be safe and to be valued. 59 00:02:29,567 --> 00:02:32,570 And not everyone was happy with us. 60 00:02:32,570 --> 00:02:34,572 You know, some people were mad at us, 61 00:02:34,572 --> 00:02:35,948 but I think that's normal 62 00:02:35,948 --> 00:02:38,242 when you try and change something. 63 00:02:41,996 --> 00:02:44,081 {\an8}All right, off we go! 64 00:02:44,081 --> 00:02:46,500 {\an8}Angel City, spread your wings! 65 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:48,794 {\an8}[upbeat rock music] 66 00:02:48,794 --> 00:02:50,671 {\an8}- U.S. soccer on the women's side 67 00:02:50,671 --> 00:02:54,300 {\an8}has been fighting for respect. 68 00:02:54,300 --> 00:02:55,801 {\an8}The mantra always was, 69 00:02:55,801 --> 00:02:58,638 {\an8}"You should be thankful, and you can't screw it up." 70 00:02:58,638 --> 00:02:59,972 {\an8}- The National Women's Soccer League 71 00:02:59,972 --> 00:03:01,974 {\an8}just kicked off its tenth season. 72 00:03:01,974 --> 00:03:05,478 {\an8}- Two new clubs coming out in California. 73 00:03:05,478 --> 00:03:07,813 {\an8}- Angel City Football Club in Los Angeles 74 00:03:07,813 --> 00:03:10,608 {\an8}is backed by the largest female ownership group 75 00:03:10,608 --> 00:03:11,901 {\an8}in professional sports. 76 00:03:11,901 --> 00:03:14,946 {\an8}- 14 former U.S. Women's National Team players 77 00:03:14,946 --> 00:03:16,781 {\an8}are investors. 78 00:03:16,781 --> 00:03:18,449 {\an8}- These are the best players in the world. 79 00:03:18,449 --> 00:03:20,284 {\an8}- We're gonna elevate the sport 80 00:03:20,284 --> 00:03:22,870 {\an8}and show how valuable it truly is. 81 00:03:22,870 --> 00:03:25,790 {\an8}- When you watch these athletes play, 82 00:03:25,790 --> 00:03:28,668 {\an8}you're changing something that was formed in your brain 83 00:03:28,668 --> 00:03:31,879 {\an8}about what it means for a woman to be a woman. 84 00:03:31,879 --> 00:03:38,678 ♪ Hey, oh, hey, oh ♪ 85 00:03:44,850 --> 00:03:47,812 {\an8}Sometimes you dream impossible dreams alone, 86 00:03:47,812 --> 00:03:49,063 {\an8}and you kind of let them go away, 87 00:03:49,063 --> 00:03:50,272 {\an8}and you're like, "Oh, that's silly." 88 00:03:50,272 --> 00:03:52,441 {\an8}But when there's a person you respect and love 89 00:03:52,441 --> 00:03:55,361 {\an8}who's like, "Wait, that's a good idea--keep going," 90 00:03:55,361 --> 00:03:57,989 {\an8}you can keep the ball rolling. 91 00:03:57,989 --> 00:03:59,573 - Like, what's up, rock star? - I know. 92 00:03:59,573 --> 00:04:01,325 You, like, walk in, and we don't have to do anything. 93 00:04:01,325 --> 00:04:02,326 I know. [laughter] 94 00:04:02,326 --> 00:04:03,661 She walked in. She's game ready. 95 00:04:03,661 --> 00:04:05,871 She is game ready. 96 00:04:05,871 --> 00:04:08,416 Kara Nortman is this brilliant venture capitalist 97 00:04:08,416 --> 00:04:10,668 who I met through my work with Time's Up. 98 00:04:10,668 --> 00:04:11,836 I had been helping out 99 00:04:11,836 --> 00:04:13,546 with the U.S. Women's National Team 100 00:04:13,546 --> 00:04:14,880 Players Association, 101 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,591 {\an8}and I have this occasional tendency 102 00:04:17,591 --> 00:04:20,553 {\an8}to write diatribes 103 00:04:20,553 --> 00:04:22,555 {\an8}with passionate ideas I have. 104 00:04:22,555 --> 00:04:24,265 And Natalie would receive-- 105 00:04:24,265 --> 00:04:26,225 [laughs] To her credit, 106 00:04:26,225 --> 00:04:28,352 she'd receive these long text messages, 107 00:04:28,352 --> 00:04:30,271 and she just wrote back, 108 00:04:30,271 --> 00:04:32,565 "I think we should try to start a team." 109 00:04:32,565 --> 00:04:34,692 And I truly thought she was kidding, 110 00:04:34,692 --> 00:04:36,402 and then she said it the third time, 111 00:04:36,402 --> 00:04:40,573 and I was like, "Okay, I mean, let's talk." 112 00:04:40,573 --> 00:04:42,950 And then, of course, when she brought Julie along, 113 00:04:42,950 --> 00:04:44,994 that's when it really got going. 114 00:04:44,994 --> 00:04:46,871 {\an8}I mean, if this is what it means 115 00:04:46,871 --> 00:04:48,164 {\an8}to own a football club... 116 00:04:48,164 --> 00:04:50,958 {\an8}- [laughing] - Totally in. 117 00:04:50,958 --> 00:04:55,796 Julie is this incredible entrepreneur, 118 00:04:55,796 --> 00:04:57,798 has started many companies-- 119 00:04:57,798 --> 00:05:00,593 and boundless energy. 120 00:05:00,593 --> 00:05:02,762 I can dribble it, 'cause that I'm good with. 121 00:05:02,762 --> 00:05:04,764 See? I told her, every time she has the ball, 122 00:05:04,764 --> 00:05:05,973 she looks like a boss. 123 00:05:05,973 --> 00:05:08,809 The majority of sports teams are owned by men. 124 00:05:08,809 --> 00:05:11,562 We approached it differently. 125 00:05:11,562 --> 00:05:13,606 It's three female founders, 126 00:05:13,606 --> 00:05:16,984 and we wanted to raise money to build Angel City 127 00:05:16,984 --> 00:05:20,905 from individuals who believed in our mission and our purpose. 128 00:05:20,905 --> 00:05:23,240 We knew Angel City could be bigger than the game. 129 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:27,745 {\an8}- We created a deck that pitched the idea as a startup. 130 00:05:27,745 --> 00:05:32,124 To get kind of our central, large, lead investor, 131 00:05:32,124 --> 00:05:35,628 we have 100 meetings, 132 00:05:35,628 --> 00:05:38,297 and they're, like--everyone's got a problem with it. 133 00:05:38,297 --> 00:05:40,049 We'll never sell any tickets. 134 00:05:40,049 --> 00:05:42,093 There's 11 teams in L.A. 135 00:05:42,093 --> 00:05:43,803 You're not gonna get a broadcast deal. 136 00:05:43,803 --> 00:05:45,846 No one watches women's sports. 137 00:05:45,846 --> 00:05:47,431 Unless you get a broadcast deal, 138 00:05:47,431 --> 00:05:48,974 the math never makes sense. 139 00:05:48,974 --> 00:05:50,643 Over and over and over again. 140 00:05:50,643 --> 00:05:52,019 I mean, I always say we got 99 nos. 141 00:05:52,019 --> 00:05:53,813 And I don't know how many nos we got, 142 00:05:53,813 --> 00:05:55,481 but it certainly feels like 99. 143 00:05:55,481 --> 00:05:57,858 Until we got to Alexis. 144 00:05:57,858 --> 00:05:59,610 The reason I invested is because 145 00:05:59,610 --> 00:06:02,238 {\an8}I just see nothing but opportunity, right? 146 00:06:02,238 --> 00:06:04,949 {\an8}This is the most popular sport in the world. 147 00:06:04,949 --> 00:06:07,076 {\an8}These Americans are the best at it. 148 00:06:07,076 --> 00:06:10,913 There is no competition in the American psyche 149 00:06:10,913 --> 00:06:13,290 for American soccer greatness with men. 150 00:06:13,290 --> 00:06:16,627 Means we have an open field. [chuckles] 151 00:06:16,627 --> 00:06:21,507 As we were gathering investors, 152 00:06:21,507 --> 00:06:24,844 I was like, we have to get Abby. 153 00:06:24,844 --> 00:06:27,388 Abby Wambach! [crowd cheering] 154 00:06:27,388 --> 00:06:30,766 I had no idea why Natalie Portman 155 00:06:30,766 --> 00:06:32,184 wanted to connect with me. 156 00:06:32,184 --> 00:06:34,270 When she asked for me to be a part of it, 157 00:06:34,270 --> 00:06:35,980 I kind of interrupt her-- I was like, "Yes. 158 00:06:35,980 --> 00:06:37,189 "I want to be a part of this. 159 00:06:37,189 --> 00:06:38,524 Of course I want to be a part of this." 160 00:06:38,524 --> 00:06:40,734 ♪ ♪ 161 00:06:40,734 --> 00:06:43,445 This is making it into, you know, the zeitgeist 162 00:06:43,445 --> 00:06:45,447 in the way that we wanted it to. 163 00:06:45,447 --> 00:06:47,032 Well, you were telling me yesterday 164 00:06:47,032 --> 00:06:50,828 {\an8}that only 4% of women sports are covered. 165 00:06:50,828 --> 00:06:53,164 {\an8}Yeah, only 4% of sports coverage 166 00:06:53,164 --> 00:06:55,040 {\an8}- is of women's sports. - Mm-hmm. 167 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,710 I have so many ideas, you know, 168 00:06:57,710 --> 00:06:59,753 that I can help out with the team, 169 00:06:59,753 --> 00:07:02,715 and I'm from L.A., and I play sports, so... 170 00:07:02,715 --> 00:07:03,966 [laughs] 171 00:07:03,966 --> 00:07:05,926 I mean, "play sports" is a little bit 172 00:07:05,926 --> 00:07:09,388 of an understatement, so... [laughs] 173 00:07:09,388 --> 00:07:11,599 Hey, Natalie! Everyone, Natalie's here. 174 00:07:11,599 --> 00:07:14,143 And it's, what, 6:00 a.m. in Australia? 175 00:07:14,143 --> 00:07:17,354 {\an8}It is. Good morning, good evening, wherever you are. 176 00:07:17,354 --> 00:07:18,898 {\an8}And, Eva, you're in Mexico, right? 177 00:07:18,898 --> 00:07:21,192 {\an8}We're hitting all corners of the world right now. 178 00:07:21,192 --> 00:07:23,027 {\an8}[laughs] I'm in Mexico! 179 00:07:23,027 --> 00:07:24,486 {\an8}- I'm listening, but I really got to go. 180 00:07:24,486 --> 00:07:25,696 {\an8}- He's looking for a pen-- 181 00:07:25,696 --> 00:07:27,865 {\an8}- Someone is unmuted. [overlapping chatter] 182 00:07:27,865 --> 00:07:31,368 {\an8}So, if everyone can mute, please. 183 00:07:31,368 --> 00:07:33,370 {\an8}[chuckles] 184 00:07:33,370 --> 00:07:35,581 {\an8}Who's unmuted? 185 00:07:35,581 --> 00:07:36,832 {\an8}Who is it? 186 00:07:36,832 --> 00:07:38,209 {\an8}Somebody. 187 00:07:38,209 --> 00:07:39,752 {\an8}Thank you. 188 00:07:39,752 --> 00:07:42,713 {\an8}It's a super-emotional moment to see everyone 189 00:07:42,713 --> 00:07:44,465 {\an8}who's come together in the community, 190 00:07:44,465 --> 00:07:47,593 {\an8}just even on the Zoom in the way it spanned out. 191 00:07:47,593 --> 00:07:51,263 {\an8}- Hey, everybody, Julie has been such a rock star, 192 00:07:51,263 --> 00:07:54,058 {\an8}and so grateful for her getting us to this point. 193 00:07:54,058 --> 00:07:57,937 {\an8}And you'll hear the news she's gonna update us all with 194 00:07:57,937 --> 00:08:01,899 {\an8}in a time when we fucking need exciting and positive news. 195 00:08:01,899 --> 00:08:05,778 {\an8}And I also want to acknowledge 196 00:08:05,778 --> 00:08:08,239 {\an8}and recognize all of the players 197 00:08:08,239 --> 00:08:09,823 {\an8}who are among us. 198 00:08:09,823 --> 00:08:12,910 {\an8}I am thrilled to announce that we are, 199 00:08:12,910 --> 00:08:16,121 {\an8}as of 6:55 this morning, 200 00:08:16,121 --> 00:08:18,916 {\an8}an official member of the NWSL. 201 00:08:18,916 --> 00:08:22,294 {\an8}[all cheering] 202 00:08:22,294 --> 00:08:25,464 {\an8}Really, thank you for making this a reality 203 00:08:25,464 --> 00:08:27,299 {\an8}Bye. 204 00:08:27,299 --> 00:08:29,426 When we were raising money, a lot of the focus 205 00:08:29,426 --> 00:08:31,387 was on the National Women's Soccer League 206 00:08:31,387 --> 00:08:34,014 and how stable it was because it was 207 00:08:34,014 --> 00:08:35,975 the third incarnation of a league, 208 00:08:35,975 --> 00:08:38,477 and it felt fragile. 209 00:08:38,477 --> 00:08:40,479 [crowd cheering] 210 00:08:40,479 --> 00:08:43,065 Welcome live to an historic night for women's soccer. 211 00:08:43,065 --> 00:08:45,901 It's the inaugural match of the NWSL. 212 00:08:45,901 --> 00:08:48,821 The NWSL, aka the National Women's Soccer League, 213 00:08:48,821 --> 00:08:53,117 is the third attempt at women's professional soccer in America. 214 00:08:53,117 --> 00:08:55,953 The first one that started basically right in the wake 215 00:08:55,953 --> 00:08:59,748 of the 1999 World Cup survives for three years. 216 00:08:59,748 --> 00:09:02,835 Professional soccer is a constant struggle. 217 00:09:02,835 --> 00:09:04,670 {\an8}Now, the women's league 218 00:09:04,670 --> 00:09:06,505 {\an8}has gone bust. 219 00:09:06,505 --> 00:09:09,341 The money's not coming in, and the league falls apart. 220 00:09:09,341 --> 00:09:10,884 They try again, 221 00:09:10,884 --> 00:09:15,097 and, again, three years, the league falls apart. 222 00:09:15,097 --> 00:09:19,101 The NWSL is founded in 2012, 223 00:09:19,101 --> 00:09:21,186 and covering the league back in those days, 224 00:09:21,186 --> 00:09:23,647 it was really just-- can you make it to year four? 225 00:09:23,647 --> 00:09:26,150 Can you make it to year five? 226 00:09:26,150 --> 00:09:28,819 There have been a lot of doubts 227 00:09:28,819 --> 00:09:30,195 throughout those ten years, 228 00:09:30,195 --> 00:09:32,990 in terms of, will this be the league that makes it 229 00:09:32,990 --> 00:09:36,327 as a professional women's soccer league? 230 00:09:36,327 --> 00:09:38,537 Press with a great touch to settle it. 231 00:09:38,537 --> 00:09:40,205 Press with the goal! 232 00:09:40,205 --> 00:09:43,625 {\an8}In 2017, the league was so far below 233 00:09:43,625 --> 00:09:45,711 {\an8}the standards of what players could experience 234 00:09:45,711 --> 00:09:47,296 {\an8}playing over in Europe. 235 00:09:47,296 --> 00:09:49,673 And what, really, that illuminated for me 236 00:09:49,673 --> 00:09:52,217 is that there weren't the right owners. 237 00:09:52,217 --> 00:09:53,927 You had to find people that actually believed 238 00:09:53,927 --> 00:09:55,262 that this was a business. 239 00:09:55,262 --> 00:09:56,889 A lot of the rhetoric is, 240 00:09:56,889 --> 00:09:58,932 "Well, it's never made money in the past." 241 00:09:58,932 --> 00:10:01,769 Like, yes, because you've never actually invested in it. 242 00:10:01,769 --> 00:10:03,979 And if we are always going to rely on past data, 243 00:10:03,979 --> 00:10:06,690 then you're just always gonna continue to replicate the past. 244 00:10:06,690 --> 00:10:09,860 This has to be looked at like a startup. 245 00:10:09,860 --> 00:10:11,862 In the beginning, a lot of people said, 246 00:10:11,862 --> 00:10:12,863 "Is this a nonprofit?" 247 00:10:12,863 --> 00:10:15,199 And I said, "Hell, no." [laughs] 248 00:10:15,199 --> 00:10:16,658 - Let's go see them... - Mm-hmm. 249 00:10:16,658 --> 00:10:18,786 I came from a different world. 250 00:10:18,786 --> 00:10:20,371 I just would keep asking questions. 251 00:10:20,371 --> 00:10:21,914 Like, I don't understand why. 252 00:10:21,914 --> 00:10:24,083 Like, why does it have to be this way? 253 00:10:24,083 --> 00:10:28,087 Why have players never gotten a percentage of gate revenue? 254 00:10:28,087 --> 00:10:30,923 Or why isn't there a board structured this way? 255 00:10:30,923 --> 00:10:33,926 Or, you know, why don't we give away 10% of sponsorships? 256 00:10:33,926 --> 00:10:35,928 And it's like, "Well, that's the way it's done in sports." 257 00:10:35,928 --> 00:10:37,679 Kari, do you have to go to this meeting? 258 00:10:39,223 --> 00:10:40,933 {\an8}- Yeah. - All right... 259 00:10:40,933 --> 00:10:43,310 {\an8}- I think Angel City had some problems early on. 260 00:10:43,310 --> 00:10:45,604 {\an8}They were very ambitious. They had big goals. 261 00:10:45,604 --> 00:10:47,106 {\an8}They were fined twice 262 00:10:47,106 --> 00:10:48,857 {\an8}for violating league rules 263 00:10:48,857 --> 00:10:50,567 {\an8}in their conversations 264 00:10:50,567 --> 00:10:51,985 {\an8}with different players. 265 00:10:51,985 --> 00:10:53,695 {\an8}Honestly, we just want to make sure 266 00:10:53,695 --> 00:10:56,156 {\an8}that we're aboveboard across the board 267 00:10:56,156 --> 00:10:58,909 {\an8}and that we are going to not get our team fined 268 00:10:58,909 --> 00:11:00,911 {\an8}by screwing up. 269 00:11:00,911 --> 00:11:02,246 You know, we're a new team. 270 00:11:02,246 --> 00:11:03,914 A lot of us haven't been in soccer before. 271 00:11:03,914 --> 00:11:05,416 And so do I question the league 272 00:11:05,416 --> 00:11:07,084 or get upset with the league for fining us? 273 00:11:07,084 --> 00:11:09,169 No. If we break a rule, we should absolutely be fined. 274 00:11:09,169 --> 00:11:10,796 We're learning the rules, and a lot of times 275 00:11:10,796 --> 00:11:12,423 we're kind of pushing against the boundaries 276 00:11:12,423 --> 00:11:16,343 because we question why the rules are the way they are. 277 00:11:16,343 --> 00:11:19,471 We really just want to do everything we possibly can 278 00:11:19,471 --> 00:11:21,390 to change the things that matter. 279 00:11:21,390 --> 00:11:24,643 Before we even thought about having a team, 280 00:11:24,643 --> 00:11:27,688 I was lucky enough to hear Abby Wambach 281 00:11:27,688 --> 00:11:32,484 tell a moving story about when she was up onstage 282 00:11:32,484 --> 00:11:34,736 receiving the ESPY Icon Award. 283 00:11:34,736 --> 00:11:36,947 And Abby's inspiration really launched 284 00:11:36,947 --> 00:11:39,575 this whole endeavor. 285 00:11:39,575 --> 00:11:41,827 I retired in 2015. 286 00:11:41,827 --> 00:11:45,622 I was an Olympian, a world champion. 287 00:11:45,622 --> 00:11:49,084 But I didn't have much to show for it financially. 288 00:11:49,084 --> 00:11:52,171 A few months later, they wanted to give me 289 00:11:52,171 --> 00:11:53,922 the Icon ESPY Award. 290 00:11:53,922 --> 00:11:55,340 Thank you. 291 00:11:55,340 --> 00:11:58,760 It's such an honor to be here alongside Peyton and Kobe. 292 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:00,345 You guys are my heroes. 293 00:12:00,345 --> 00:12:01,555 We all got our awards, 294 00:12:01,555 --> 00:12:03,640 and the three of us turned to walk offstage, 295 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:07,019 and something else, like, bubbled to the surface. 296 00:12:07,019 --> 00:12:10,397 It was this kind of rage. 297 00:12:10,397 --> 00:12:12,357 I'd spent my whole career 298 00:12:12,357 --> 00:12:15,486 comparing myself to only other women. 299 00:12:15,486 --> 00:12:17,654 And here was this opportunity that I was getting 300 00:12:17,654 --> 00:12:19,156 the exact same award. 301 00:12:19,156 --> 00:12:21,116 And the three of us were walking 302 00:12:21,116 --> 00:12:23,827 into very, very different retirements. 303 00:12:23,827 --> 00:12:25,996 Their biggest concerns were how they were gonna 304 00:12:25,996 --> 00:12:27,873 invest their hundreds of millions of dollars 305 00:12:27,873 --> 00:12:29,333 that they rightfully earned. 306 00:12:29,333 --> 00:12:32,211 And mine was-- and this is a true story-- 307 00:12:32,211 --> 00:12:36,548 how I was gonna find a job to get health insurance, 308 00:12:36,548 --> 00:12:40,093 to be able to pay my mortgage that month. 309 00:12:40,093 --> 00:12:44,389 In order to change systems... 310 00:12:44,389 --> 00:12:45,807 you have to start over, 311 00:12:45,807 --> 00:12:49,728 and you have to rebuild it with something different. 312 00:12:52,523 --> 00:12:54,316 - [energetic music playing] - Six, five, five, 313 00:12:54,316 --> 00:12:57,528 four, three, two, one. 314 00:12:57,528 --> 00:13:00,280 I started my career on a trading floor. 315 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:02,533 There was one other woman there. 316 00:13:02,533 --> 00:13:05,536 Then I was an investment banker--no other women. 317 00:13:05,536 --> 00:13:07,204 Then I got into video games. 318 00:13:07,204 --> 00:13:09,873 There's maybe a couple, a handful. 319 00:13:09,873 --> 00:13:11,708 So, if there's 20 in a room, maybe 3. 320 00:13:11,708 --> 00:13:12,918 And they're all lower level. 321 00:13:12,918 --> 00:13:14,378 I mean, they're not the senior level. 322 00:13:14,378 --> 00:13:15,671 They're not the leadership. 323 00:13:15,671 --> 00:13:17,422 We built Angel City differently. 324 00:13:17,422 --> 00:13:20,300 Female founders, majority female team 325 00:13:20,300 --> 00:13:23,303 investing in our successes as we go. 326 00:13:23,303 --> 00:13:24,930 As an expansion team, 327 00:13:24,930 --> 00:13:26,932 everybody is gonna have a lot to do. 328 00:13:26,932 --> 00:13:28,433 Elle, we'll leave in five minutes. 329 00:13:28,433 --> 00:13:31,687 The sporting director is like the CEO of a company. 330 00:13:31,687 --> 00:13:34,064 They will be responsible for hiring the coaches, 331 00:13:34,064 --> 00:13:35,274 hiring the performance team, 332 00:13:35,274 --> 00:13:37,067 recruiting players and build, really, 333 00:13:37,067 --> 00:13:38,443 the infrastructure and the culture 334 00:13:38,443 --> 00:13:40,070 to see the players develop and win. 335 00:13:40,070 --> 00:13:42,072 And selecting our sporting instructor 336 00:13:42,072 --> 00:13:43,907 {\an8}was a unanimous decision. 337 00:13:43,907 --> 00:13:46,076 {\an8}Eni just brought all the pieces together. 338 00:13:46,076 --> 00:13:49,121 {\an8}She has just this unbelievable 339 00:13:49,121 --> 00:13:50,414 {\an8}depth of knowledge. 340 00:13:50,414 --> 00:13:52,457 {\an8}[crowd cheering] 341 00:13:52,457 --> 00:13:54,042 {\an8}Is that better? 342 00:13:54,042 --> 00:13:56,295 {\an8}Does she know what's happening or-- 343 00:13:56,295 --> 00:13:58,422 {\an8}Yeah, okay, she's here. 344 00:13:58,422 --> 00:14:00,632 {\an8}- Eni! - Hi. 345 00:14:00,632 --> 00:14:03,302 We have so much respect for you, 346 00:14:03,302 --> 00:14:04,845 both on and off the field. 347 00:14:04,845 --> 00:14:07,306 We would be absolutely honored... 348 00:14:07,306 --> 00:14:08,599 - Wow. - If you would be 349 00:14:08,599 --> 00:14:10,475 our first sporting director. 350 00:14:10,475 --> 00:14:13,103 Wow! A little bit speechless. 351 00:14:13,103 --> 00:14:16,982 We're one step closer to kicking off that first season. 352 00:14:16,982 --> 00:14:19,484 [crowd cheering] 353 00:14:19,484 --> 00:14:21,111 - This is stunning. - Wait, come here. 354 00:14:21,111 --> 00:14:22,446 - And you see the pitch. - Oh, my-- 355 00:14:22,446 --> 00:14:25,240 Oh, my God! This is amazing! 356 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:26,825 This is where we're gonna play! 357 00:14:26,825 --> 00:14:28,660 Oh, my God. I cannot believe this. 358 00:14:28,660 --> 00:14:30,120 I have goose bumps. 359 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:31,496 Banc of California, 360 00:14:31,496 --> 00:14:34,541 where the men's professional soccer team plays, LAFC, 361 00:14:34,541 --> 00:14:38,170 has a maximum capacity of 22,000 seats. 362 00:14:38,170 --> 00:14:40,172 With LAFC, there was concern 363 00:14:40,172 --> 00:14:42,382 that if I put a women's professional sports team 364 00:14:42,382 --> 00:14:45,260 into my stadium, it doesn't sell out, 365 00:14:45,260 --> 00:14:46,720 and there's a lot of open seats. 366 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:48,263 It's gonna reflect badly on their brand, 367 00:14:48,263 --> 00:14:49,514 and it's gonna make it difficult for us 368 00:14:49,514 --> 00:14:50,849 to achieve our goals. 369 00:14:50,849 --> 00:14:53,852 I don't disagree with that at all. 370 00:14:53,852 --> 00:14:57,648 So the opportunity was to say, well, that will never happen. 371 00:14:57,648 --> 00:14:59,816 We are gonna sell out, just like you sell out. 372 00:14:59,816 --> 00:15:01,985 - We are in the grand lobby. - Yeah. 373 00:15:01,985 --> 00:15:07,407 So this is where all of the premium customers enter. 374 00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:08,867 You're in Hollywood. 375 00:15:08,867 --> 00:15:11,161 Sun shines most of the time, palm trees, 376 00:15:11,161 --> 00:15:13,622 - a little glitz, a little glam. - Right. 377 00:15:13,622 --> 00:15:16,500 ACF's the ownership group-- a lot of glitz, 378 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:18,126 - a lot of glam. - Glam. 379 00:15:18,126 --> 00:15:21,838 [upbeat music] 380 00:15:21,838 --> 00:15:24,508 The L.A. market has nine professional sports teams 381 00:15:24,508 --> 00:15:26,343 and USC and UCLA. 382 00:15:26,343 --> 00:15:29,721 You also have the beach and the mountains and movies. 383 00:15:29,721 --> 00:15:32,099 So this is the hardest market to be successful, 384 00:15:32,099 --> 00:15:34,226 let alone with what was perceived 385 00:15:34,226 --> 00:15:35,852 as an inferior product 386 00:15:35,852 --> 00:15:38,647 of women's sports and women's football. 387 00:15:38,647 --> 00:15:41,692 LAFC, they were saying, 388 00:15:41,692 --> 00:15:44,528 "Well, if you can't get, like, 8,000 people there, 389 00:15:44,528 --> 00:15:45,862 "it's not gonna feel fun 390 00:15:45,862 --> 00:15:47,989 "'cause you're not gonna feel like you're in a crowd. 391 00:15:47,989 --> 00:15:52,202 And we're not sure you can sell 8,000 seats." 392 00:15:52,202 --> 00:15:54,663 And I was like, hmm. 393 00:15:54,663 --> 00:15:58,166 I mean, I don't know anything about anything about sports, 394 00:15:58,166 --> 00:16:00,085 and they do. 395 00:16:00,085 --> 00:16:01,586 And I was like, whoa, 396 00:16:01,586 --> 00:16:05,006 they don't think we can sell 8,000 seats. 397 00:16:05,006 --> 00:16:07,676 All right, this is scary. 398 00:16:07,676 --> 00:16:10,554 {\an8}We believe that in order for women's sports to grow, 399 00:16:10,554 --> 00:16:12,639 {\an8}in order for soccer to grow, 400 00:16:12,639 --> 00:16:15,767 {\an8}in order for these athletes to be paid what they're worth, 401 00:16:15,767 --> 00:16:17,894 we have to fill that stadium. 402 00:16:19,521 --> 00:16:21,940 The way that we get people to invest in us as a club 403 00:16:21,940 --> 00:16:24,401 to show up at our stadium is we invest in them 404 00:16:24,401 --> 00:16:27,070 in a way that shows that we're genuinely listening. 405 00:16:27,070 --> 00:16:31,074 In 2019, right before the France World Cup, 406 00:16:31,074 --> 00:16:32,701 {\an8}my husband and I decided to make a banner 407 00:16:32,701 --> 00:16:34,578 {\an8}that just said, "Bring NWSL to L.A.," 408 00:16:34,578 --> 00:16:37,247 {\an8}'cause we were tired of having to travel out of the state 409 00:16:37,247 --> 00:16:41,626 or halfway across the world to see badass women athletes 410 00:16:41,626 --> 00:16:43,545 kick tail on the field. 411 00:16:43,545 --> 00:16:47,132 all: Bring NWSL to L.A.! 412 00:16:47,132 --> 00:16:48,967 A week before Angel City was announced, 413 00:16:48,967 --> 00:16:51,720 Julie asked if we could have, like, a meeting with her. 414 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:54,097 And so we jumped on a Zoom meeting with her, 415 00:16:54,097 --> 00:16:56,141 and she said, "Just wanted to let you know, 416 00:16:56,141 --> 00:16:59,436 your movement to bring NWSL to L.A., it worked." 417 00:16:59,436 --> 00:17:01,938 ♪ ♪ 418 00:17:01,938 --> 00:17:06,109 The sort of force and scope of our supporters 419 00:17:06,109 --> 00:17:08,320 was unusual, for sure. 420 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:10,739 And I take very seriously that responsibility 421 00:17:10,739 --> 00:17:13,074 to those supporters. 422 00:17:13,074 --> 00:17:15,911 Before we had a coach, I know there were multiple 423 00:17:15,911 --> 00:17:18,789 straight white male candidates. 424 00:17:18,789 --> 00:17:20,791 And so, when there was a rumor 425 00:17:20,791 --> 00:17:24,002 that we were going to hire a specific coach, 426 00:17:24,002 --> 00:17:26,338 the supporters responded pretty vocally 427 00:17:26,338 --> 00:17:29,591 on social media. 428 00:17:29,591 --> 00:17:33,178 And coming out of the Time's Up movement, 429 00:17:33,178 --> 00:17:37,933 we had said, we need to elevate women. 430 00:17:37,933 --> 00:17:40,227 I mean, the supporters basically just 431 00:17:40,227 --> 00:17:41,686 pointed to our words and said, 432 00:17:41,686 --> 00:17:45,023 "Is this in keeping with what you've told us you're about?" 433 00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:49,820 It's gonna come! Come on! 434 00:17:49,820 --> 00:17:52,072 Angel City, they announced Freya Coombe 435 00:17:52,072 --> 00:17:54,157 as their new head coach. 436 00:17:54,157 --> 00:17:57,327 A lot of responsibility on her shoulders. 437 00:17:57,327 --> 00:17:59,371 I am so happy for Freya Coombe 438 00:17:59,371 --> 00:18:02,207 that she can take a club and a team 439 00:18:02,207 --> 00:18:04,501 and build it from the ground up. 440 00:18:04,501 --> 00:18:06,128 Coach Freya was impressive. 441 00:18:06,128 --> 00:18:07,963 She was at Gotham last year 442 00:18:07,963 --> 00:18:10,048 and, I think, really turned around 443 00:18:10,048 --> 00:18:11,925 quite toxic culture in the team. 444 00:18:11,925 --> 00:18:14,970 Welcome! Yay! 445 00:18:14,970 --> 00:18:18,890 Freya is just beloved by players, 446 00:18:18,890 --> 00:18:21,393 such a strong presence. 447 00:18:21,393 --> 00:18:23,603 Freya's in town, as you guys know. 448 00:18:23,603 --> 00:18:26,523 She's in town for a week. [applause] 449 00:18:26,523 --> 00:18:28,358 Freya, what's the average attendance 450 00:18:28,358 --> 00:18:29,693 of the games that you coached? 451 00:18:29,693 --> 00:18:34,573 Average, I'd probably say 2,000 to 3,000. 452 00:18:34,573 --> 00:18:36,575 There are 22,000 seats in the stadium. 453 00:18:36,575 --> 00:18:39,536 And then we're about filling that stadium 454 00:18:39,536 --> 00:18:43,665 with the fiercest and the most inclusive supporters 455 00:18:43,665 --> 00:18:44,749 in world soccer-- 456 00:18:44,749 --> 00:18:47,043 not just women's soccer but in world soccer. 457 00:18:47,043 --> 00:18:49,588 And the way we're gonna do that is to make them proud 458 00:18:49,588 --> 00:18:51,631 to invest in us because we're investing in them. 459 00:18:51,631 --> 00:18:53,800 Love it. So exciting. 460 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,761 {\an8}Angel City definitely had larger aspirations 461 00:18:56,761 --> 00:18:59,764 {\an8}and ambitions than Gotham at that time 462 00:18:59,764 --> 00:19:01,266 {\an8}that I was involved in it. 463 00:19:01,266 --> 00:19:03,018 So it was definitely a risk. 464 00:19:03,018 --> 00:19:04,769 Do you want to just give your background 465 00:19:04,769 --> 00:19:05,937 from your words? 466 00:19:05,937 --> 00:19:09,107 Like, I grew up as a complete tomboy. 467 00:19:09,107 --> 00:19:12,068 I went and played football with the boys, and that was it. 468 00:19:12,068 --> 00:19:13,570 Like, I was hooked. 469 00:19:13,570 --> 00:19:15,280 So then you get to that awkward age, 470 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:16,865 and you're a little bit older, and then people are like, 471 00:19:16,865 --> 00:19:19,034 "Well, girls can't play football now, actually." 472 00:19:19,034 --> 00:19:21,411 And it was like, "Well, damn right I can." 473 00:19:21,411 --> 00:19:24,372 {\an8}So I cut all my hair off and called myself Fred. 474 00:19:24,372 --> 00:19:25,415 {\an8}[laughter] 475 00:19:25,415 --> 00:19:28,084 {\an8}And then got into coaching at university. 476 00:19:28,084 --> 00:19:30,170 Here I am now. 477 00:19:30,170 --> 00:19:34,007 ♪ ♪ 478 00:19:34,007 --> 00:19:35,425 - Draft day! - Yay! 479 00:19:35,425 --> 00:19:36,885 [cheering] 480 00:19:38,595 --> 00:19:40,639 {\an8}Cookies? Cookies for breakfast. 481 00:19:40,639 --> 00:19:42,474 {\an8}- Yes. - Well, breakfast of champions. 482 00:19:42,474 --> 00:19:44,142 By the way, you know who was in line with me 483 00:19:44,142 --> 00:19:45,477 - at Cookie Good? - Who? 484 00:19:45,477 --> 00:19:46,645 Someone wearing Angel City gear, 485 00:19:46,645 --> 00:19:47,812 - all excited about the draft. - Get out! 486 00:19:47,812 --> 00:19:48,939 She was like, "Can I take a picture?" 487 00:19:48,939 --> 00:19:50,315 Well, someone said to me when I was running today 488 00:19:50,315 --> 00:19:52,108 on Santa Monica, "Yo, Angel City!" 489 00:19:52,108 --> 00:19:54,152 And I was like, "Oh, no! It's the draft day!" 490 00:19:54,152 --> 00:19:55,779 Testing, testing. 491 00:19:55,779 --> 00:19:59,616 Ha! Look at that! Hi! 492 00:19:59,616 --> 00:20:01,785 - Turn it up, turn it up. - Okay. 493 00:20:01,785 --> 00:20:04,996 Tonight all eyes on the two Golden State cities, 494 00:20:04,996 --> 00:20:07,624 {\an8}as Angel City FC and the San Diego Wave 495 00:20:07,624 --> 00:20:08,750 {\an8}will pad out their teams 496 00:20:08,750 --> 00:20:10,293 {\an8}ahead of their inaugural seasons 497 00:20:10,293 --> 00:20:12,671 in the National Women's Soccer League. 498 00:20:12,671 --> 00:20:14,506 Eni, what do you think of Taylor? 499 00:20:14,506 --> 00:20:16,466 I like her. I remember her. 500 00:20:16,466 --> 00:20:20,512 I wanted a coach that knew the NWSL. 501 00:20:20,512 --> 00:20:22,305 And so, when it came to the draft, 502 00:20:22,305 --> 00:20:24,599 we weren't trying to figure things out in the moment. 503 00:20:24,599 --> 00:20:28,853 We just shared ideas, and Freya led. 504 00:20:28,853 --> 00:20:30,939 Get into frame. Stand in where you're gonna be. 505 00:20:30,939 --> 00:20:33,358 {\an8}- There is a look at Angel City. 506 00:20:33,358 --> 00:20:35,944 {\an8}They have the first pick of the expansion draft, 507 00:20:35,944 --> 00:20:38,822 {\an8}so now let's go live to L.A. 508 00:20:38,822 --> 00:20:42,033 {\an8}With Angel City FC's first pick, 509 00:20:42,033 --> 00:20:46,871 ACFC selects Dani Weatherholt from OL Reign. 510 00:20:46,871 --> 00:20:51,001 [cheers and applause] 511 00:20:51,001 --> 00:20:54,421 Angel City have selected Dani Weatherholt. 512 00:20:54,421 --> 00:20:55,588 [cheers and applause] 513 00:20:55,588 --> 00:20:58,550 So one of the things that we had the pleasure of doing 514 00:20:58,550 --> 00:21:01,219 was bringing in supporter groups 515 00:21:01,219 --> 00:21:03,722 to announce players for the draft. 516 00:21:03,722 --> 00:21:07,017 ACFC selects Jasmyne Spencer. 517 00:21:07,017 --> 00:21:09,853 [cheers and applause] 518 00:21:09,853 --> 00:21:11,396 {\an8}Paige Nielsen 519 00:21:11,396 --> 00:21:12,564 from Washington Spirit 520 00:21:12,564 --> 00:21:13,940 [cheering] 521 00:21:13,940 --> 00:21:16,651 {\an8}I'm looking for the teams that are chasing rings, 522 00:21:16,651 --> 00:21:18,695 {\an8}and I really think that it's Angel City 523 00:21:18,695 --> 00:21:20,196 {\an8}that sort of came out swinging. 524 00:21:20,196 --> 00:21:22,490 I think our spread's been really good 525 00:21:22,490 --> 00:21:24,743 Yeah, I agree... 526 00:21:24,743 --> 00:21:27,871 if we say so ourself. [laughter] 527 00:21:27,871 --> 00:21:30,415 We were very intentional about who we selected 528 00:21:30,415 --> 00:21:32,876 in the expansion draft, doing our due diligence 529 00:21:32,876 --> 00:21:35,545 around their personality, their character, 530 00:21:35,545 --> 00:21:37,130 making sure that we're really building 531 00:21:37,130 --> 00:21:38,590 a group of great people. 532 00:21:38,590 --> 00:21:39,799 As a former player, 533 00:21:39,799 --> 00:21:41,634 I would've loved to play on this team 534 00:21:41,634 --> 00:21:45,430 {\an8}with Jun... 535 00:21:45,430 --> 00:21:47,432 {\an8}with Sav McCaskill. 536 00:21:47,432 --> 00:21:51,603 {\an8}[rock music] 537 00:21:51,603 --> 00:21:53,938 {\an8}My name is Simone Charley. 538 00:21:53,938 --> 00:21:57,358 {\an8}I'm from Hoover, Alabama, and I play forward. 539 00:21:57,358 --> 00:21:58,735 {\an8}Charley cuts to her left, 540 00:21:58,735 --> 00:22:00,236 {\an8}trying to squeeze through, gets around. 541 00:22:00,236 --> 00:22:03,073 {\an8}Charley with a shot and finds the near post! 542 00:22:03,073 --> 00:22:06,785 {\an8}- Goalkeepers are probably known for being odd... 543 00:22:06,785 --> 00:22:08,411 {\an8}a little weird in the head. 544 00:22:08,411 --> 00:22:09,829 Ball gets ahead to it, 545 00:22:09,829 --> 00:22:11,915 but what a save by Haracic. 546 00:22:11,915 --> 00:22:13,583 We recruited more defenders 547 00:22:13,583 --> 00:22:15,460 than any other position on the field. 548 00:22:15,460 --> 00:22:18,129 So, when teams come up against Angel City, 549 00:22:18,129 --> 00:22:20,632 {\an8}they're like, "How are we gonna score?" 550 00:22:20,632 --> 00:22:22,133 {\an8}My name is Paige Nielsen, 551 00:22:22,133 --> 00:22:23,802 {\an8}originally from Nebraska, 552 00:22:23,802 --> 00:22:25,970 {\an8}and I play center defender. 553 00:22:25,970 --> 00:22:27,347 [crowd cheering] 554 00:22:27,347 --> 00:22:29,474 Paige--she knows the league, 555 00:22:29,474 --> 00:22:31,601 and she's just such a pro. 556 00:22:31,601 --> 00:22:32,852 My name's Vanessa Gilles. 557 00:22:32,852 --> 00:22:35,897 I'm from Ottawa, Ontario, in Canada. 558 00:22:35,897 --> 00:22:37,649 I play center back. 559 00:22:38,983 --> 00:22:40,819 Vanessa is an Olympic Gold Medalist. 560 00:22:40,819 --> 00:22:43,446 She is the best defender in the world. 561 00:22:43,446 --> 00:22:45,615 {\an8}Every single player-- there's an element 562 00:22:45,615 --> 00:22:47,575 {\an8}of, like, just excitement for them. 563 00:22:47,575 --> 00:22:50,286 {\an8}But Christen is the number-one forward, 564 00:22:50,286 --> 00:22:51,788 {\an8}world-class level, 565 00:22:51,788 --> 00:22:54,290 {\an8}and, obviously, she's from L.A., too. 566 00:22:54,290 --> 00:22:56,501 Hometown hero Christen Press 567 00:22:56,501 --> 00:22:59,754 was the first to sign on to Angel City. 568 00:22:59,754 --> 00:23:01,047 Christen Press-- 569 00:23:01,047 --> 00:23:04,134 her 49th goal for her country. 570 00:23:04,134 --> 00:23:06,344 When I thought about Angel City, 571 00:23:06,344 --> 00:23:09,347 {\an8}I really thought about the opportunity to create change. 572 00:23:09,347 --> 00:23:10,640 This is proof of concept. 573 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:12,308 This is proof that the business works. 574 00:23:12,308 --> 00:23:14,519 It's proof that, you know, we're not doing it 575 00:23:14,519 --> 00:23:16,729 just so that your daughters have a role model. 576 00:23:16,729 --> 00:23:19,858 You go into this business because you can make money 577 00:23:19,858 --> 00:23:22,152 and you can be successful. 578 00:23:25,947 --> 00:23:28,575 {\an8}First day, let's go! [indistinct chatter] 579 00:23:28,575 --> 00:23:31,202 {\an8}- ♪ Good morning ♪ - Wow. 580 00:23:33,079 --> 00:23:34,831 Not a lot of people get to experience this, 581 00:23:34,831 --> 00:23:37,542 so this is dope. [indistinct chatter] 582 00:23:37,542 --> 00:23:41,171 We wanted to give our players the safety and comfort 583 00:23:41,171 --> 00:23:44,090 that you're Angel City, and we're gonna invest in you. 584 00:23:44,090 --> 00:23:46,009 And they're not gonna be traded. 585 00:23:46,009 --> 00:23:47,886 No matter what, we're betting on each other. 586 00:23:47,886 --> 00:23:49,721 I want to start off by saying thank you 587 00:23:49,721 --> 00:23:51,055 for choosing Angel City. 588 00:23:51,055 --> 00:23:53,892 And I promise you that, you know, we do not plan 589 00:23:53,892 --> 00:23:56,477 to do any exit trades in 2022. 590 00:23:56,477 --> 00:23:59,439 We're here. This is it. This is the team. 591 00:23:59,439 --> 00:24:01,191 We're gonna win, we're gonna lose, 592 00:24:01,191 --> 00:24:02,525 we're gonna have difficult moments, 593 00:24:02,525 --> 00:24:04,485 and what that means is... 594 00:24:04,485 --> 00:24:06,196 we're gonna coach our way out of it. 595 00:24:06,196 --> 00:24:07,405 We're gonna play our way out of it. 596 00:24:07,405 --> 00:24:08,907 We're not gonna trade our way out of it. 597 00:24:08,907 --> 00:24:11,993 I was coming into a league 598 00:24:11,993 --> 00:24:14,329 that just didn't really care about... 599 00:24:14,329 --> 00:24:16,372 how players had control over their own destiny. 600 00:24:16,372 --> 00:24:18,917 And I'd been that player who's been traded 601 00:24:18,917 --> 00:24:21,252 after begging an owner not to trade me. 602 00:24:21,252 --> 00:24:23,588 And I will never forget how that made me feel. 603 00:24:23,588 --> 00:24:25,131 {\an8}One of the things I admired 604 00:24:25,131 --> 00:24:26,674 {\an8}the most from Angel City 605 00:24:26,674 --> 00:24:27,926 {\an8}coming in that first day 606 00:24:27,926 --> 00:24:31,804 was Eni saying that this club will not be waiving players 607 00:24:31,804 --> 00:24:35,099 or trading players unless it's something the player wants. 608 00:24:35,099 --> 00:24:38,102 And for a club to say that is a very, very big deal. 609 00:24:38,102 --> 00:24:40,438 Every single contract this season was guaranteed-- 610 00:24:40,438 --> 00:24:41,898 every single person's. 611 00:24:41,898 --> 00:24:43,733 So that's huge. 612 00:24:43,733 --> 00:24:47,904 That is, like, so different from any other experience 613 00:24:47,904 --> 00:24:49,489 that players would have. 614 00:24:49,489 --> 00:24:51,407 And there's a good and a bad to that. 615 00:24:51,407 --> 00:24:53,451 On the negative side, it locks your roster, 616 00:24:53,451 --> 00:24:55,245 so you can't make changes, 617 00:24:55,245 --> 00:24:57,914 and in this league, if every other team is able 618 00:24:57,914 --> 00:25:00,583 to trade and make midseason moves and you're not, 619 00:25:00,583 --> 00:25:02,377 I think that puts you at a disadvantage. 620 00:25:02,377 --> 00:25:05,463 [applause] 621 00:25:05,463 --> 00:25:08,967 [cheering] 622 00:25:08,967 --> 00:25:11,177 Everyone here has had different experiences 623 00:25:11,177 --> 00:25:14,180 within clubs-- positive, negative-- 624 00:25:14,180 --> 00:25:16,849 but everyone has got a blank slate here. 625 00:25:16,849 --> 00:25:18,685 There's an opportunity here for everyone 626 00:25:18,685 --> 00:25:20,478 to cement themselves on this roster 627 00:25:20,478 --> 00:25:21,938 and be part of this group. 628 00:25:21,938 --> 00:25:23,690 I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. 629 00:25:23,690 --> 00:25:25,275 This is our goal. 630 00:25:25,275 --> 00:25:27,277 This is what we can achieve. 631 00:25:27,277 --> 00:25:30,363 And I am 100% confident that we can do that. 632 00:25:30,363 --> 00:25:33,908 [indistinct chatter] 633 00:25:33,908 --> 00:25:35,576 Love it. 634 00:25:35,576 --> 00:25:37,453 Welcome to day one. 635 00:25:37,453 --> 00:25:38,746 [scattered cheers] Yes! 636 00:25:38,746 --> 00:25:39,789 All right. 637 00:25:39,789 --> 00:25:41,624 It's not all just about kicking soccer balls. 638 00:25:41,624 --> 00:25:44,460 It's about so much more than that. 639 00:25:44,460 --> 00:25:48,965 {\an8}We are so committed to building a future 640 00:25:48,965 --> 00:25:52,260 {\an8}for this sport for the next generation. 641 00:25:52,260 --> 00:25:54,137 We've come from winning environments, 642 00:25:54,137 --> 00:25:57,181 and we have these big ambitions, 643 00:25:57,181 --> 00:25:59,017 and we want to win games, 644 00:25:59,017 --> 00:26:01,185 and we want to win championships. 645 00:26:01,185 --> 00:26:05,690 {\an8}With all the investment and the hype around Angel City, 646 00:26:05,690 --> 00:26:07,734 {\an8}I felt a responsibility, 647 00:26:07,734 --> 00:26:10,194 not just to the club but to the community, 648 00:26:10,194 --> 00:26:13,948 and I think our whole team felt that way. 649 00:26:13,948 --> 00:26:16,993 Preseason day one, like, the home opener-- 650 00:26:16,993 --> 00:26:19,829 we all, like, had stamped on our calendars 651 00:26:19,829 --> 00:26:23,291 like, all right, guys, we got this amount of days 652 00:26:23,291 --> 00:26:26,336 until, like, we really have to show up. 653 00:26:28,796 --> 00:26:31,049 Like, everyone wants to see us play. 654 00:26:31,049 --> 00:26:34,010 It's gonna be an amazing opportunity. 655 00:26:34,010 --> 00:26:36,679 And it's been a long journey 656 00:26:36,679 --> 00:26:39,557 for me personally. 657 00:26:39,557 --> 00:26:43,144 The summer before my senior year at North Carolina, 658 00:26:43,144 --> 00:26:45,271 my mom was in the hospital in Seattle, 659 00:26:45,271 --> 00:26:48,024 {\an8}and I got a call saying, 660 00:26:48,024 --> 00:26:51,027 {\an8}"Paige, you need to come to Seattle right away." 661 00:26:51,027 --> 00:26:55,073 My mom actually passed when we all got there. 662 00:26:55,073 --> 00:26:57,867 My mentor, the North Carolina soccer coach-- 663 00:26:57,867 --> 00:26:59,702 I was like, "Man, what do I do? 664 00:26:59,702 --> 00:27:03,539 "Do I financially free myself 'cause my mom never had that? 665 00:27:03,539 --> 00:27:06,501 Or do I go after my dream?" 666 00:27:06,501 --> 00:27:10,713 And he was like, "Well, what would Kathy do?" 667 00:27:10,713 --> 00:27:12,090 That was her name. 668 00:27:12,090 --> 00:27:15,218 And I was like, "Why am I even thinking about this? 669 00:27:15,218 --> 00:27:17,637 Of course I'm gonna take this soccer job." 670 00:27:17,637 --> 00:27:21,307 I passed up a six-figure job at Bank of America to do this. 671 00:27:21,307 --> 00:27:23,893 And so I'm in it. 672 00:27:23,893 --> 00:27:27,313 [indistinct shouting] 673 00:27:27,313 --> 00:27:30,233 - Look at our team. - I know. 674 00:27:30,233 --> 00:27:33,486 Get in, get in! [indistinct shouting] 675 00:27:33,486 --> 00:27:35,905 {\an8}- Look what we did. - I mean, look at this! 676 00:27:35,905 --> 00:27:37,407 {\an8}Yeah! [both laugh] 677 00:27:37,407 --> 00:27:39,117 {\an8}- I know all the players from other teams, right? 678 00:27:39,117 --> 00:27:40,243 {\an8}- Yeah. - So, as I look at players 679 00:27:40,243 --> 00:27:41,869 {\an8}right now, I'm thinking, that's Cari Roccaro 680 00:27:41,869 --> 00:27:42,912 {\an8}from North Carolina, 681 00:27:42,912 --> 00:27:44,747 {\an8}or that's Jas Spencer from Houston. 682 00:27:44,747 --> 00:27:47,083 {\an8}And over time, they're gonna, like, assimilate and become-- 683 00:27:47,083 --> 00:27:48,292 - Angel City. - Yeah. 684 00:27:48,292 --> 00:27:50,628 Just takes time, right? [laughter] 685 00:27:50,628 --> 00:27:54,632 So I asked our director of statistics and analytics, 686 00:27:54,632 --> 00:27:56,801 what are our chances of making it to the playoffs? 687 00:27:56,801 --> 00:27:58,970 I mean, you've analyzed all the teams. 688 00:27:58,970 --> 00:28:02,640 And they said to me, "Well, don't expect too much, 689 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:06,561 because expansion teams never, never make it to the playoffs." 690 00:28:06,561 --> 00:28:09,147 And I was like, "What's an expansion team?" 691 00:28:09,147 --> 00:28:11,441 Because I literally know that little. 692 00:28:11,441 --> 00:28:14,360 And so they explained to me that an expansion team 693 00:28:14,360 --> 00:28:15,945 is a new team to the league, 694 00:28:15,945 --> 00:28:18,573 And that they never, never 695 00:28:18,573 --> 00:28:20,575 make it to the playoffs in their first season. 696 00:28:20,575 --> 00:28:22,952 [shouting, cheering] 697 00:28:22,952 --> 00:28:25,997 So there's 12 teams in the NWSL. 698 00:28:25,997 --> 00:28:28,583 Being an expansion team, where everyone's brought together, 699 00:28:28,583 --> 00:28:30,126 it's gonna take time, 700 00:28:30,126 --> 00:28:32,962 but once you can establish that team that trusts each other, 701 00:28:32,962 --> 00:28:34,380 that's when you get the success. 702 00:28:34,380 --> 00:28:35,381 Cheers! 703 00:28:35,381 --> 00:28:37,842 Cheers to friendship. [laughter] 704 00:28:37,842 --> 00:28:39,719 Get your fucking muffin in here. 705 00:28:39,719 --> 00:28:44,015 What did the eggs say at the house party 706 00:28:44,015 --> 00:28:45,725 after a couple of tequila shots? 707 00:28:45,725 --> 00:28:47,185 What? 708 00:28:47,185 --> 00:28:48,853 - You don't know? - Uh-- 709 00:28:48,853 --> 00:28:50,688 You're not gonna give a guess like Dani tried? 710 00:28:50,688 --> 00:28:52,273 I don't want to embarrass myself. 711 00:28:52,273 --> 00:28:54,358 - [clears throat] - [laughs] 712 00:28:54,358 --> 00:28:57,570 "I'm lit!" [laughter] 713 00:28:57,570 --> 00:28:59,197 [indistinct chatter] 714 00:28:59,197 --> 00:29:01,199 Having a strong defensive foundation 715 00:29:01,199 --> 00:29:03,075 is what most teams will look to build, 716 00:29:03,075 --> 00:29:05,077 and that's their starting point. 717 00:29:05,077 --> 00:29:07,163 And unfortunately for us... 718 00:29:07,163 --> 00:29:09,332 first day, you know, we had a lot 719 00:29:09,332 --> 00:29:10,917 {\an8}of illnesses and injury. 720 00:29:10,917 --> 00:29:12,502 {\an8}First day of preseason, 721 00:29:12,502 --> 00:29:14,337 {\an8}and we're having lunch, and Paige sits down 722 00:29:14,337 --> 00:29:16,672 at my table, and she says, like, 723 00:29:16,672 --> 00:29:18,216 "Look at my arm. It looks so funny." 724 00:29:18,216 --> 00:29:20,051 She's like, "Oh, yeah, I'm just gonna go home 725 00:29:20,051 --> 00:29:22,887 and see if it gets worse." 726 00:29:22,887 --> 00:29:26,766 And I'm like, "You have to go to the hospital." 727 00:29:28,142 --> 00:29:30,603 {\an8}- And it turns out that she has a rare condition 728 00:29:30,603 --> 00:29:32,939 {\an8}that led to the clotting in her arm. 729 00:29:32,939 --> 00:29:36,359 And, you know, she had to go in for a surgery 730 00:29:36,359 --> 00:29:38,361 and ended up having a rib removed 731 00:29:38,361 --> 00:29:40,613 so that she can increase the blood flow. 732 00:29:41,113 --> 00:29:44,742 {\an8}[weakly] I am in so much pain. 733 00:29:47,286 --> 00:29:48,829 {\an8}I'm singing... 734 00:29:48,829 --> 00:29:52,917 {\an8}♪ Every breath you take ♪ 735 00:29:52,917 --> 00:29:56,879 {\an8}♪ Every move you make ♪ 736 00:29:56,879 --> 00:30:01,425 {\an8}♪ Every single minute I'm fucked ♪ 737 00:30:03,219 --> 00:30:06,055 {\an8}She was really excited about coming into this new team 738 00:30:06,055 --> 00:30:07,265 and having a new start 739 00:30:07,265 --> 00:30:11,102 and then had such a debilitating injury... 740 00:30:11,102 --> 00:30:13,104 that just really put her back. 741 00:30:13,104 --> 00:30:17,483 It's gonna take months to build the neck muscles. 742 00:30:17,483 --> 00:30:19,068 It was, like, substantial 743 00:30:19,068 --> 00:30:21,696 in terms of what happened in that moment, 744 00:30:21,696 --> 00:30:24,323 and it was also a huge hit to our roster. 745 00:30:26,242 --> 00:30:28,411 That certainly made it challenging for us 746 00:30:28,411 --> 00:30:30,746 in our backline, and we had to put players 747 00:30:30,746 --> 00:30:32,790 in different positions that they weren't 748 00:30:32,790 --> 00:30:34,834 probably used to or recruited to. 749 00:30:40,006 --> 00:30:41,716 - Did your car get towed? - [chuckles] 750 00:30:41,716 --> 00:30:43,217 - Needed gas. - What? 751 00:30:43,217 --> 00:30:44,969 - Just needed gas. - Again? 752 00:30:44,969 --> 00:30:45,928 {\an8}Yeah. [laughs] 753 00:30:45,928 --> 00:30:46,971 {\an8}Did you hear this? 754 00:30:46,971 --> 00:30:48,472 {\an8}She just need to gas again. 755 00:30:48,472 --> 00:30:49,765 {\an8}Why are we talking 756 00:30:49,765 --> 00:30:50,975 {\an8}into camera? [laughs] 757 00:30:50,975 --> 00:30:52,935 'Cause once is embarrassing. 758 00:30:52,935 --> 00:30:54,645 Twice is just-- I don't even know what-- 759 00:30:54,645 --> 00:30:56,981 I don't even--there's not even a right adjective for that. 760 00:30:56,981 --> 00:30:59,692 Growing up with Julie, and as a twin, 761 00:30:59,692 --> 00:31:01,402 we both played basketball. 762 00:31:01,402 --> 00:31:02,903 We both went to business school. 763 00:31:02,903 --> 00:31:04,280 We both went to MBA school. 764 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:06,282 I mean, there's a lot of things that are similar. 765 00:31:06,282 --> 00:31:08,492 - Whoo-hoo. 95%. - Yep. 766 00:31:08,492 --> 00:31:09,493 Boom. 767 00:31:09,493 --> 00:31:10,953 I've been listening 768 00:31:10,953 --> 00:31:13,789 to the Angel City dream for two years, right? 769 00:31:13,789 --> 00:31:16,667 And she's like, "Amy, like, can you come in? I need help." 770 00:31:16,667 --> 00:31:18,336 I said yes, and the next thing I knew, 771 00:31:18,336 --> 00:31:20,504 I had meetings on my schedule for Tuesday. 772 00:31:23,966 --> 00:31:26,177 {\an8}We have 14,200 season-ticket holders. 773 00:31:26,177 --> 00:31:28,054 {\an8}Like, if game day is not good, 774 00:31:28,054 --> 00:31:29,639 {\an8}those are at risk of being lost. 775 00:31:29,639 --> 00:31:32,391 {\an8}Days until the regular season home opener--46. 776 00:31:32,391 --> 00:31:33,768 {\an8}Whoo-hoo! [banging table] 777 00:31:33,768 --> 00:31:36,187 {\an8}Then again, like, minus two weeks 778 00:31:36,187 --> 00:31:38,648 {\an8}because of all the stuff that needs to get done. 779 00:31:38,648 --> 00:31:39,649 {\an8}You're not gonna stress me out. 780 00:31:39,649 --> 00:31:40,983 {\an8}It's not gonna happen. 781 00:31:40,983 --> 00:31:43,152 Guys, everybody close your eyes. 782 00:31:43,152 --> 00:31:44,654 Seriously. Okay. 783 00:31:44,654 --> 00:31:47,365 You sit down, right? 784 00:31:47,365 --> 00:31:48,824 Lights go out. 785 00:31:48,824 --> 00:31:50,826 We've got some Angel City chant going. 786 00:31:50,826 --> 00:31:52,787 We're gonna teach the Three Clap. 787 00:31:52,787 --> 00:31:54,372 Ball's gonna land, they're gonna see 788 00:31:54,372 --> 00:31:55,373 that they're all women. 789 00:31:55,373 --> 00:31:56,666 We'll announce who they are. 790 00:31:56,666 --> 00:31:58,334 Some amazing group of kids are gonna come out and sing, 791 00:31:58,334 --> 00:32:00,211 {\an8}and we're all gonna be like, "Oh, that's so cute. 792 00:32:00,211 --> 00:32:01,420 {\an8}Look how amazing." 793 00:32:01,420 --> 00:32:02,922 {\an8}Then at which point, everyone's looking up, 794 00:32:02,922 --> 00:32:04,590 {\an8}and, oh, my God, you know, we've got 795 00:32:04,590 --> 00:32:06,050 these people flying from the sky, 796 00:32:06,050 --> 00:32:07,802 pink smoke, and then the players are gonna come out, 797 00:32:07,802 --> 00:32:10,221 and people are gonna cry 'cause our players are on the field. 798 00:32:10,221 --> 00:32:13,224 Then ball will get kicked, and people will still be crying. 799 00:32:13,224 --> 00:32:15,893 And, you know, then we'll score goals and win. 800 00:32:15,893 --> 00:32:18,062 I'm gonna make sure you have waterproof mascara. 801 00:32:18,062 --> 00:32:19,605 - Yeah. - She's not wearing any. 802 00:32:19,605 --> 00:32:21,524 An! 803 00:32:25,945 --> 00:32:27,571 Wasn't what we wanted, but it was--I mean, it was-- 804 00:32:27,571 --> 00:32:29,323 No, I mean, I'm guess-- well, I mean, was it, like, 805 00:32:29,323 --> 00:32:30,825 worse than we thought it was gonna be, 806 00:32:30,825 --> 00:32:32,827 or just it was what we thought it was gonna be? 807 00:32:32,827 --> 00:32:35,996 I thought it was better than what I was anticipating, 808 00:32:35,996 --> 00:32:38,040 but, I mean, it's just not our ideal, right? 809 00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:39,375 - Right. - We're just trying 810 00:32:39,375 --> 00:32:41,585 to make sure it's not impacting performance 811 00:32:41,585 --> 00:32:43,462 or anything like that for the players on the field. 812 00:32:43,462 --> 00:32:46,132 My role is the logistics-- 813 00:32:46,132 --> 00:32:48,008 the travel, the training facilities. 814 00:32:48,008 --> 00:32:50,803 I don't think I necessarily knew what the challenges 815 00:32:50,803 --> 00:32:53,013 of an expansion team really were 816 00:32:53,013 --> 00:32:55,433 until I came into this organization and club. 817 00:32:55,433 --> 00:32:58,436 But definitely having a personal experience 818 00:32:58,436 --> 00:33:00,771 as a professional athlete, I thought 819 00:33:00,771 --> 00:33:04,567 training facility was, you know, the top priority. 820 00:33:04,567 --> 00:33:07,987 We evaluated a lot of different locations, 821 00:33:07,987 --> 00:33:10,239 {\an8}facilities, and we wound up landing 822 00:33:10,239 --> 00:33:12,074 {\an8}at Cal Lutheran University, 823 00:33:12,074 --> 00:33:13,951 {\an8}with a partnership with the Los Angeles Rams. 824 00:33:13,951 --> 00:33:16,412 Come on, let's get in the corner. Come on. 825 00:33:16,412 --> 00:33:18,414 So you don't have to start back on there. 826 00:33:18,414 --> 00:33:21,250 Like, start here, if that's gonna help you. 827 00:33:21,250 --> 00:33:22,918 There you go. 828 00:33:22,918 --> 00:33:26,505 Can we do that first time so we can get the timing, Annie? 829 00:33:26,505 --> 00:33:29,508 Hey, guys, we need to make sure that they've got ball-- 830 00:33:29,508 --> 00:33:32,344 {\an8}One of the biggest challenges that we have been facing 831 00:33:32,344 --> 00:33:34,472 {\an8}is just, like, field availability. 832 00:33:34,472 --> 00:33:36,515 So we're now sharing a field 833 00:33:36,515 --> 00:33:38,267 with, like, the Super Bowl champs. 834 00:33:38,267 --> 00:33:40,144 So, obviously, they get what they want. 835 00:33:40,144 --> 00:33:41,729 So that's been difficult. 836 00:33:41,729 --> 00:33:44,940 Also, we don't get to start training till, like, 2:15 p.m. 837 00:33:44,940 --> 00:33:47,109 in the California heat. 838 00:33:47,109 --> 00:33:50,279 I just think with Angel City, there is kind of the sense 839 00:33:50,279 --> 00:33:52,615 of people are coming into the space not knowing it, 840 00:33:52,615 --> 00:33:54,158 and they're learning. 841 00:33:54,158 --> 00:33:57,161 [dramatic music] 842 00:33:57,161 --> 00:34:01,457 ♪ ♪ 843 00:34:01,457 --> 00:34:04,960 Not having that training space from day one, 844 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:07,129 it does kind of feel like a startup. 845 00:34:07,129 --> 00:34:10,174 ♪ ♪ 846 00:34:10,174 --> 00:34:12,384 You see how you're backpedaling so much? 847 00:34:12,384 --> 00:34:13,969 - Yeah. - Just need to be able 848 00:34:13,969 --> 00:34:15,805 to go there. 849 00:34:15,805 --> 00:34:18,516 Shift the hips back. 850 00:34:18,516 --> 00:34:21,852 Oh, yeah, watch your flapping wings. 851 00:34:21,852 --> 00:34:24,355 Can we do the groin squeeze? 852 00:34:24,355 --> 00:34:25,981 Head over, Vanessa, Maia. 853 00:34:25,981 --> 00:34:27,525 How do your hips feel today? 854 00:34:27,525 --> 00:34:32,363 My role is to optimize player health and performance. 855 00:34:32,363 --> 00:34:35,032 I know it's everyone's favorite morning wake-up. 856 00:34:35,032 --> 00:34:36,992 {\an8}When you get to this level, there's this little bit 857 00:34:36,992 --> 00:34:41,831 {\an8}of difference between peak, you know, or elite performance. 858 00:34:41,831 --> 00:34:44,333 And we're trying to find that difference. 859 00:34:44,333 --> 00:34:45,334 All right. Ready? 860 00:34:45,334 --> 00:34:46,377 - Yep. - And go for it. 861 00:34:46,377 --> 00:34:48,295 I was the first full-time 862 00:34:48,295 --> 00:34:50,422 female strength and conditioning coach 863 00:34:50,422 --> 00:34:53,259 within Major League Soccer on the men's side. 864 00:34:53,259 --> 00:34:54,552 Your name-- 865 00:34:54,552 --> 00:34:57,555 On the men's side of things, money was not a constraint. 866 00:34:57,555 --> 00:34:59,932 Anything that you can think of that would help, 867 00:34:59,932 --> 00:35:01,225 they will have it. 868 00:35:01,225 --> 00:35:03,060 And in order to be able to do these things-- 869 00:35:03,060 --> 00:35:06,397 you know, took blood work, we did jump testing, 870 00:35:06,397 --> 00:35:08,023 we did all these tests on a regular basis. 871 00:35:08,023 --> 00:35:09,859 To have that support and be to able to do that, 872 00:35:09,859 --> 00:35:11,485 you need money. 873 00:35:11,485 --> 00:35:12,570 So maybe you are. 874 00:35:12,570 --> 00:35:14,238 You can just get down lower. 875 00:35:14,238 --> 00:35:17,366 We're athletes, and we want to have the environment 876 00:35:17,366 --> 00:35:21,203 that's the most conducive for us to be successful. 877 00:35:21,203 --> 00:35:22,413 But you realize 878 00:35:22,413 --> 00:35:24,874 how much work goes into having a training facility, 879 00:35:24,874 --> 00:35:26,333 having a weight room, 880 00:35:26,333 --> 00:35:28,168 and having things that are soccer-specific 881 00:35:28,168 --> 00:35:29,712 and not being in-- 882 00:35:29,712 --> 00:35:31,255 you can't just, like, go to LA Fitness 883 00:35:31,255 --> 00:35:32,423 and, like, get a proper lift in. 884 00:35:32,423 --> 00:35:33,591 Like, that's not-- [laughs] 885 00:35:33,591 --> 00:35:36,844 I mean, you could, but it's not 886 00:35:36,844 --> 00:35:39,430 what male athletes have to deal with. 887 00:35:39,430 --> 00:35:43,058 So the balls for my tens now need to be super precise! 888 00:35:43,058 --> 00:35:44,852 The timing is crucial! 889 00:35:44,852 --> 00:35:47,605 In soccer, at the professional level, 890 00:35:47,605 --> 00:35:49,189 it's those details that matter. 891 00:35:49,189 --> 00:35:51,734 {\an8}It's those inches, those centimeters 892 00:35:51,734 --> 00:35:54,778 {\an8}that separate the good players from the great players. 893 00:35:56,906 --> 00:36:00,242 I loved my time in Portland, but towards the end, 894 00:36:00,242 --> 00:36:04,079 it just felt like it was time for me to go. 895 00:36:04,079 --> 00:36:06,540 Having a club that, like, wants you 896 00:36:06,540 --> 00:36:07,917 and wants to invest in you, 897 00:36:07,917 --> 00:36:10,836 I think was something that was so important to me 898 00:36:10,836 --> 00:36:12,504 and also very exciting. 899 00:36:14,548 --> 00:36:16,800 When we talk about setting higher expectations, 900 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:19,303 it really does come down to investment 901 00:36:19,303 --> 00:36:22,014 to really elevate the performance. 902 00:36:22,014 --> 00:36:24,183 And we also wanted to pay players more. 903 00:36:24,183 --> 00:36:26,685 So we created a program where each one of our players 904 00:36:26,685 --> 00:36:29,688 would get a percentage of all ticket sales of our games. 905 00:36:29,688 --> 00:36:32,858 Ultimately, we have to change the economic model, 906 00:36:32,858 --> 00:36:34,401 which means we need to drive 907 00:36:34,401 --> 00:36:36,070 the revenue aspect of the sport. 908 00:36:36,070 --> 00:36:38,697 {\an8}It's over there. [laughs] 909 00:36:38,697 --> 00:36:40,991 {\an8}- All right, we're gonna start here. 910 00:36:40,991 --> 00:36:42,284 {\an8}We don't have a jersey or not yet? 911 00:36:42,284 --> 00:36:43,494 {\an8}Well, you're gonna get to see this. 912 00:36:43,494 --> 00:36:44,787 {\an8}- We're gonna surprise you. - Oh, just kidding! 913 00:36:44,787 --> 00:36:46,622 {\an8}- Yeah. - Oh, my God! 914 00:36:46,622 --> 00:36:47,790 Classic reaction video. 915 00:36:47,790 --> 00:36:49,249 So you're gonna open the box-- 916 00:36:49,249 --> 00:36:51,627 - To there? - Yeah, to the camera. 917 00:36:51,627 --> 00:36:56,507 This is--I'm really nervous. [laughing] 918 00:36:56,507 --> 00:36:59,009 Oh, my God. It's so pretty. 919 00:36:59,009 --> 00:37:01,011 DoorDash. 920 00:37:01,011 --> 00:37:03,681 "Volemos." Oh, my God, sprouts. 921 00:37:03,681 --> 00:37:05,849 It's, like, kind of tough. 922 00:37:05,849 --> 00:37:07,935 I wouldn't want to be against this team, 923 00:37:07,935 --> 00:37:09,144 like, on the field. 924 00:37:09,144 --> 00:37:10,980 [laughs] I'd be like, oh, my God. 925 00:37:10,980 --> 00:37:12,314 - [screams] - Oh, my God! 926 00:37:12,314 --> 00:37:14,316 You didn't tell me you work on this team. 927 00:37:14,316 --> 00:37:18,028 Your most valuable asset is your logo 928 00:37:18,028 --> 00:37:19,321 on the front of your kit. 929 00:37:19,321 --> 00:37:21,824 {\an8}Being a new team, we didn't have any data 930 00:37:21,824 --> 00:37:24,368 {\an8}to back up the value that we wanted for. 931 00:37:24,368 --> 00:37:26,245 Do one. [camera shutter clicks] 932 00:37:26,245 --> 00:37:28,205 [laughter] 933 00:37:28,205 --> 00:37:31,166 So we went to an agency, and we asked them 934 00:37:31,166 --> 00:37:32,418 the traditional questions of, 935 00:37:32,418 --> 00:37:34,712 what should we be charging for front-of-kit? 936 00:37:34,712 --> 00:37:36,422 And they came back and said, "We think you should get 937 00:37:36,422 --> 00:37:37,840 a million dollars." 938 00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:39,049 Whoo! 939 00:37:39,049 --> 00:37:41,427 Wow. A million dollars was lower 940 00:37:41,427 --> 00:37:44,013 than any jersey valuation I had seen on the men's team, 941 00:37:44,013 --> 00:37:45,889 {\an8}regardless of their scale. 942 00:37:45,889 --> 00:37:48,058 {\an8}These are men's teams that might be selling 943 00:37:48,058 --> 00:37:50,102 {\an8}5,000 jerseys, 10,000 jerseys, 944 00:37:50,102 --> 00:37:52,896 {\an8}and knowing our goal was to sell 30,000 jerseys. 945 00:37:52,896 --> 00:37:54,773 - [squeals] - So we went back and said, 946 00:37:54,773 --> 00:37:56,692 "No, you actually need to get 947 00:37:56,692 --> 00:37:58,736 to a multimillion-dollar number for us." 948 00:37:58,736 --> 00:37:59,903 Look! 949 00:37:59,903 --> 00:38:03,115 We went out and sold our front-of-kit to DoorDash 950 00:38:03,115 --> 00:38:05,117 for an eight-figure deal. 951 00:38:05,117 --> 00:38:06,702 "A whole fresh start." 952 00:38:06,702 --> 00:38:08,620 'Cause we have incredible ownership group 953 00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:09,747 of celebrities and athletes 954 00:38:09,747 --> 00:38:11,749 that are gonna drive the value of this. 955 00:38:11,749 --> 00:38:15,544 Women spend 80% of consumer spending. 956 00:38:15,544 --> 00:38:18,255 We, for the first time, have brought in women's fashion, 957 00:38:18,255 --> 00:38:20,132 women's shoes, women's liquor, 958 00:38:20,132 --> 00:38:22,593 I mean, your mind can go crazy with what's possible there, 959 00:38:22,593 --> 00:38:24,845 so the sky's the limit for us. 960 00:38:24,845 --> 00:38:27,598 And it's not just about making money, but it's impact-- 961 00:38:27,598 --> 00:38:29,933 where 10% of our revenue goes back into the community. 962 00:38:29,933 --> 00:38:32,561 That community impact-- it is important to us, 963 00:38:32,561 --> 00:38:35,064 and it's a lens with which we make decisions, 964 00:38:35,064 --> 00:38:37,691 and it's how we build our organization. 965 00:38:37,691 --> 00:38:40,736 [indistinct chatter] 966 00:38:43,238 --> 00:38:45,199 - I didn't want to bother you. - Hi! 967 00:38:47,451 --> 00:38:49,661 {\an8}Two, two, two! Pass, yes. 968 00:38:49,661 --> 00:38:52,414 {\an8}I'm gonna post on my Gram. 969 00:38:52,414 --> 00:38:55,209 In 2019, I saw the U.S. Women's National Team 970 00:38:55,209 --> 00:38:56,376 in Paris. 971 00:38:56,376 --> 00:38:59,379 It was packed-- I mean, loud, packed crowd. 972 00:38:59,379 --> 00:39:01,882 [cheering] 973 00:39:01,882 --> 00:39:04,259 Low one, and all the way in! 974 00:39:04,259 --> 00:39:08,472 Dream start for the United States! 975 00:39:08,472 --> 00:39:10,641 And I'm like, damn, this is a great product. 976 00:39:10,641 --> 00:39:12,142 And I was aware of Rapinoe. 977 00:39:12,142 --> 00:39:14,478 I was aware of Morgan. I was aware of Press, right? 978 00:39:14,478 --> 00:39:15,813 I was aware of these superstars 979 00:39:15,813 --> 00:39:17,981 who had already transcended the sport. 980 00:39:17,981 --> 00:39:19,775 And I looked at my buddy, and I'm like, 981 00:39:19,775 --> 00:39:22,486 "Dude, why can I watch these women in the U.S.?" 982 00:39:22,486 --> 00:39:24,446 And he's like, "Dude, it's called the NWSL." 983 00:39:24,446 --> 00:39:25,656 And I was like, "What?" 984 00:39:25,656 --> 00:39:28,158 How do I know the players 985 00:39:28,158 --> 00:39:30,285 and I don't even know the sport exists? 986 00:39:30,285 --> 00:39:31,620 Something is broken. 987 00:39:31,620 --> 00:39:33,163 Skills. Feet. 988 00:39:33,163 --> 00:39:35,290 - My feet? Oh. - Yeah! 989 00:39:35,290 --> 00:39:36,458 What a touch! 990 00:39:36,458 --> 00:39:39,336 There was a reason I stopped at ninth grade. 991 00:39:39,336 --> 00:39:40,379 Let's see it. 992 00:39:40,379 --> 00:39:41,839 - Oh, watch out, it's coming. - Aw. 993 00:39:41,839 --> 00:39:43,173 Aw, a little fast. 994 00:39:43,173 --> 00:39:45,217 [laughter] 995 00:39:45,217 --> 00:39:47,678 The funny moment-- and this is true-- 996 00:39:47,678 --> 00:39:49,429 Olympia's running around. We're at the house. 997 00:39:49,429 --> 00:39:50,764 She's running around in her little jersey. 998 00:39:50,764 --> 00:39:52,015 We're watching the final. 999 00:39:52,015 --> 00:39:53,642 And like any dad, 1000 00:39:53,642 --> 00:39:55,978 I'm like, "Oh wouldn't be great one day if Olympia played 1001 00:39:55,978 --> 00:39:57,396 for the Women's National Team? 1002 00:39:57,396 --> 00:39:59,690 And without missing a beat, 1003 00:39:59,690 --> 00:40:03,277 Serena is like, "Not until they pay her what she's worth." 1004 00:40:03,277 --> 00:40:04,319 And I looked at her, 1005 00:40:04,319 --> 00:40:06,029 and I said, "Okay, challenge accepted." 1006 00:40:06,029 --> 00:40:07,865 - Oh, my gosh. Hi. - You came all this way. DiDi. 1007 00:40:07,865 --> 00:40:09,533 Hi, DiDi. both: Nice to meet you. 1008 00:40:09,533 --> 00:40:10,659 - Paige. - Howdy, Paige. 1009 00:40:10,659 --> 00:40:12,327 Oh, my God. Nice to finally meet you. 1010 00:40:12,327 --> 00:40:13,662 Yeah, thanks for coming out. 1011 00:40:13,662 --> 00:40:15,289 Oh, man, thank you for-- I don't know-- 1012 00:40:15,289 --> 00:40:17,624 just believing in this crazy thing and joining aboard. 1013 00:40:17,624 --> 00:40:18,667 It wasn't hard. 1014 00:40:18,667 --> 00:40:20,544 I mean, no pressure, 1015 00:40:20,544 --> 00:40:23,297 but y'all get to, I think, set a precedent 1016 00:40:23,297 --> 00:40:25,382 for a lot of people. 1017 00:40:25,382 --> 00:40:26,967 [camera shutter clicks] 1018 00:40:26,967 --> 00:40:28,719 And once you see the product on the pitch 1019 00:40:28,719 --> 00:40:30,095 and once you see this greatness, 1020 00:40:30,095 --> 00:40:32,347 you're like damn, how much poorer our world is 1021 00:40:32,347 --> 00:40:34,391 as a result of great ideas and great talent 1022 00:40:34,391 --> 00:40:36,435 that never got to be showcased. 1023 00:40:36,435 --> 00:40:41,356 ♪ ♪ 1024 00:40:41,356 --> 00:40:44,067 I remember being told... 1025 00:40:44,067 --> 00:40:45,694 "Alexis, don't do it. 1026 00:40:45,694 --> 00:40:48,030 No one cares about women's sports." 1027 00:40:48,030 --> 00:40:53,327 ♪ ♪ 1028 00:40:53,327 --> 00:40:56,955 Hearing it as often as I did, God, I almost believed it 1029 00:40:56,955 --> 00:41:01,585 for half a second, because it was so prominent. 1030 00:41:01,585 --> 00:41:06,298 ♪ ♪ 1031 00:41:06,298 --> 00:41:08,717 Yes, I screenshot a lot of these tweets. 1032 00:41:08,717 --> 00:41:10,594 Yes, I do save them. 1033 00:41:10,594 --> 00:41:12,512 I do that because I am petty 1034 00:41:12,512 --> 00:41:15,641 and also because... 1035 00:41:15,641 --> 00:41:19,561 there is so much of this great energy 1036 00:41:19,561 --> 00:41:21,980 in women's sports right now, 1037 00:41:21,980 --> 00:41:26,109 and I love fueling that rocket ship. 1038 00:41:26,109 --> 00:41:28,904 Ready? Go. 1039 00:41:28,904 --> 00:41:30,739 I personally have never had any interest 1040 00:41:30,739 --> 00:41:32,950 in coming to the NWSL, 1041 00:41:32,950 --> 00:41:34,451 'cause I was in France playing, 1042 00:41:34,451 --> 00:41:37,079 and in Europe, it's just a football culture 1043 00:41:37,079 --> 00:41:38,413 and you're immersed. 1044 00:41:38,413 --> 00:41:40,749 I remember seeing, like, rumors on Instagram, 1045 00:41:40,749 --> 00:41:43,085 and, "Natalie Portman is gonna be involved, 1046 00:41:43,085 --> 00:41:45,420 and it's gonna be woman-led." 1047 00:41:45,420 --> 00:41:47,464 So I think the more I heard about Angel City, 1048 00:41:47,464 --> 00:41:50,425 the more I wanted to be part of that change. 1049 00:41:50,425 --> 00:41:52,761 And my agent was like, "Yeah, they sent in an offer. 1050 00:41:52,761 --> 00:41:54,638 Like, they're actually interested." 1051 00:41:54,638 --> 00:41:57,099 That was the same week the coach at North Carolina 1052 00:41:57,099 --> 00:41:59,309 ended up getting fired and investigated 1053 00:41:59,309 --> 00:42:01,812 for a whole bunch of... 1054 00:42:01,812 --> 00:42:04,606 [chuckles] Accusations. 1055 00:42:04,606 --> 00:42:07,609 And that was going on in the league that whole week. 1056 00:42:07,609 --> 00:42:09,778 Like, everything was coming out during that week 1057 00:42:09,778 --> 00:42:12,030 in terms of, like, sexual abuse 1058 00:42:12,030 --> 00:42:14,783 and manipulation and mental abuse. 1059 00:42:14,783 --> 00:42:17,286 {\an8}Tonight the world of professional women's soccer 1060 00:42:17,286 --> 00:42:18,745 {\an8}is turned upside down. 1061 00:42:18,745 --> 00:42:20,622 {\an8}- An investigation by The Athletic 1062 00:42:20,622 --> 00:42:23,333 {\an8}sent a seismic shock through women's soccer. 1063 00:42:23,333 --> 00:42:26,378 [dramatic music] 1064 00:42:26,378 --> 00:42:28,005 ♪ ♪ 1065 00:42:28,005 --> 00:42:29,673 Before I got involved, 1066 00:42:29,673 --> 00:42:32,342 these two players try to email the league, 1067 00:42:32,342 --> 00:42:33,802 and they do it independently. 1068 00:42:33,802 --> 00:42:36,179 So they both sent their own emails 1069 00:42:36,179 --> 00:42:38,473 to the league's general counsel 1070 00:42:38,473 --> 00:42:40,475 {\an8}and the league's commissioner at the time, 1071 00:42:40,475 --> 00:42:42,686 {\an8}and that commissioner was Lisa Baird. 1072 00:42:42,686 --> 00:42:44,855 And, to be fair, neither one of the players 1073 00:42:44,855 --> 00:42:46,982 said, you know, "Here's our entire--" 1074 00:42:46,982 --> 00:42:49,151 They're not about to say, like, 1075 00:42:49,151 --> 00:42:51,320 "Let me trauma-dump on you via email," right? 1076 00:42:51,320 --> 00:42:53,280 "Please call me. We will talk through. 1077 00:42:53,280 --> 00:42:56,825 We have information that we think you should have." 1078 00:42:56,825 --> 00:42:59,119 The response from the league is essentially, 1079 00:42:59,119 --> 00:43:01,705 "Thank you, but, no, thanks." 1080 00:43:01,705 --> 00:43:05,834 {\an8}♪ ♪ 1081 00:43:05,834 --> 00:43:07,669 {\an8}And... 1082 00:43:07,669 --> 00:43:11,548 {\an8}that's the only reason why the story went public. 1083 00:43:11,548 --> 00:43:14,968 {\an8}The league posted a statement. 1084 00:43:14,968 --> 00:43:19,431 {\an8}Later on that day, Alex Morgan posts the screenshots 1085 00:43:19,431 --> 00:43:22,893 {\an8}of Lisa Baird's full response to the two of them. 1086 00:43:22,893 --> 00:43:29,441 ♪ ♪ 1087 00:43:32,444 --> 00:43:34,863 For people really being able to see the whole thing 1088 00:43:34,863 --> 00:43:37,699 and to have that sense of, "If I'm a player 1089 00:43:37,699 --> 00:43:39,910 "with this trauma that I've gone through 1090 00:43:39,910 --> 00:43:41,536 "who is trying to prevent something 1091 00:43:41,536 --> 00:43:42,996 "to try to share that experience 1092 00:43:42,996 --> 00:43:44,581 and then to get that as a response," 1093 00:43:44,581 --> 00:43:48,377 that was really, really tough for a lot of people to stomach. 1094 00:43:48,377 --> 00:43:55,467 ♪ ♪ 1095 00:43:56,635 --> 00:43:59,638 We're talking about... 1096 00:43:59,638 --> 00:44:03,600 ten years, you know, of my personal experience 1097 00:44:03,600 --> 00:44:06,395 with all of the misconduct that went on. 1098 00:44:06,395 --> 00:44:09,940 I was in a entirely abusive 1099 00:44:09,940 --> 00:44:12,234 and unsafe environment 1100 00:44:12,234 --> 00:44:15,529 my rookie season in the WPS. 1101 00:44:15,529 --> 00:44:19,491 We were intentionally made to feel that using our voices 1102 00:44:19,491 --> 00:44:21,118 could end the league 1103 00:44:21,118 --> 00:44:23,578 and the league could fold and it was fragile. 1104 00:44:23,578 --> 00:44:25,789 I think that was also a silencing mechanism. 1105 00:44:25,789 --> 00:44:27,916 {\an8}[whistle blows] 1106 00:44:27,916 --> 00:44:30,335 {\an8}We were tired of all of these men being able 1107 00:44:30,335 --> 00:44:34,297 {\an8}to be in power and taking advantage of players. 1108 00:44:34,297 --> 00:44:36,341 {\an8}When they turn a blind eye, 1109 00:44:36,341 --> 00:44:37,634 {\an8}they just don't care... 1110 00:44:37,634 --> 00:44:39,344 {\an8}[scoffs] To be frank. 1111 00:44:39,344 --> 00:44:41,805 [cheers and applause] 1112 00:44:41,805 --> 00:44:45,100 And so it took brave women, brave players 1113 00:44:45,100 --> 00:44:47,018 to come forward and demand more 1114 00:44:47,018 --> 00:44:49,813 and for all of us to rally together and support them 1115 00:44:49,813 --> 00:44:53,400 and to force more from the league. 1116 00:44:53,400 --> 00:44:56,278 [somber music] 1117 00:44:56,278 --> 00:44:58,280 [applause] 1118 00:44:58,280 --> 00:44:59,865 The third game of the night 1119 00:44:59,865 --> 00:45:01,658 and the third time in the sixth minute 1120 00:45:01,658 --> 00:45:05,036 the players come together at midfield. 1121 00:45:05,036 --> 00:45:06,621 And if this isn't 1122 00:45:06,621 --> 00:45:08,373 a "shut up and listen to these players" moment, 1123 00:45:08,373 --> 00:45:10,459 I don't really know what is. 1124 00:45:10,459 --> 00:45:13,128 I'm devastated, disgusted, 1125 00:45:13,128 --> 00:45:14,504 but I'm not shocked, 1126 00:45:14,504 --> 00:45:16,256 and that's the problem. 1127 00:45:16,256 --> 00:45:17,841 The NWSL never had 1128 00:45:17,841 --> 00:45:19,176 a collective-bargaining agreement, 1129 00:45:19,176 --> 00:45:21,178 {\an8}and so there were no rights. 1130 00:45:21,178 --> 00:45:22,846 {\an8}There was no anti-harassment policy 1131 00:45:22,846 --> 00:45:25,724 I mean, all these simple guidelines they didn't have. 1132 00:45:25,724 --> 00:45:29,519 No minimum pay. It was just, like, $5,000. 1133 00:45:31,271 --> 00:45:34,316 When you aren't being paid enough, 1134 00:45:34,316 --> 00:45:37,569 you can't afford to lose your job. 1135 00:45:37,569 --> 00:45:39,738 Why would you ever speak up? 1136 00:45:39,738 --> 00:45:42,157 Why would you ever fight? 1137 00:45:42,157 --> 00:45:44,868 And I'm happy to say that Jessica Berman coming in 1138 00:45:44,868 --> 00:45:47,412 as a commissioner is gonna be signing the first 1139 00:45:47,412 --> 00:45:48,997 collective-bargaining agreement. 1140 00:45:48,997 --> 00:45:50,665 It's important for them 1141 00:45:50,665 --> 00:45:53,001 to have a seat at the table, which was what you get 1142 00:45:53,001 --> 00:45:55,670 with a collective-bargaining agreement. 1143 00:45:55,670 --> 00:45:57,631 One of the big things that came out of this 1144 00:45:57,631 --> 00:45:59,883 is players realizing there's a power 1145 00:45:59,883 --> 00:46:01,885 in the collective voice. 1146 00:46:01,885 --> 00:46:04,054 They were very shaped also by Angel City 1147 00:46:04,054 --> 00:46:06,598 coming into the league and offering this path of, 1148 00:46:06,598 --> 00:46:08,475 there is a different way. 1149 00:46:08,475 --> 00:46:10,602 We are here looking out for the players. 1150 00:46:10,602 --> 00:46:12,062 The players will be protected. 1151 00:46:12,062 --> 00:46:14,731 The players are front and center. 1152 00:46:14,731 --> 00:46:17,859 They are the shiny new kids on the block. 1153 00:46:17,859 --> 00:46:20,862 And there is this sense of, okay... 1154 00:46:20,862 --> 00:46:25,575 we want to show the NWSL that there's maybe another path. 1155 00:46:25,575 --> 00:46:29,246 ♪ ♪ 1156 00:46:29,246 --> 00:46:32,457 {\an8}- So here, here, here, here. - Yeah, so we all just cross-- 1157 00:46:32,457 --> 00:46:36,253 {\an8}Jun, I just wanted to connect ahead of the game tomorrow. 1158 00:46:36,253 --> 00:46:40,757 {\an8}Gonna start tomorrow on the right side as a forward. 1159 00:46:40,757 --> 00:46:43,927 {\an8}[speaking Japanese] 1160 00:46:43,927 --> 00:46:47,180 {\an8}When the ball goes into this player in here... 1161 00:46:47,180 --> 00:46:49,099 {\an8}[speaking Japanese] 1162 00:46:49,099 --> 00:46:52,435 {\an8}- The nine is going to press. - [speaking Japanese] 1163 00:46:52,435 --> 00:46:56,106 {\an8}How is life in general? 1164 00:46:56,106 --> 00:46:59,150 {\an8}[speaking Japanese] 1165 00:47:08,994 --> 00:47:11,788 Anything that you need for me before the game tomorrow? 1166 00:47:11,788 --> 00:47:13,790 [speaking Japanese] Yeah. She said she's okay. 1167 00:47:13,790 --> 00:47:14,916 Okay. 1168 00:47:14,916 --> 00:47:18,962 {\an8}[energetic music playing on speakers] 1169 00:47:18,962 --> 00:47:21,381 {\an8}- The Challenge Cup is a tournament 1170 00:47:21,381 --> 00:47:24,509 that's kind of a way to get games under our belts 1171 00:47:24,509 --> 00:47:26,136 before season happens. 1172 00:47:26,136 --> 00:47:27,804 [excited chatter] 1173 00:47:27,804 --> 00:47:29,514 - Thank you! - You're awesome. 1174 00:47:29,514 --> 00:47:33,602 I think that's the team bus. That's the players! 1175 00:47:33,602 --> 00:47:36,104 - They're waving, yes. - They're waving! 1176 00:47:36,104 --> 00:47:38,106 [drumming, crowd chanting] 1177 00:47:38,106 --> 00:47:40,400 Look at the supporters back there. 1178 00:47:40,400 --> 00:47:42,277 [drumming continues] 1179 00:47:42,277 --> 00:47:45,280 all: Vamos, Angel City! Venimos a ganar! 1180 00:47:45,280 --> 00:47:48,325 Vamos, Angel City! Venimos a cantar! 1181 00:47:48,325 --> 00:47:49,868 Vamos, Angel City... 1182 00:47:49,868 --> 00:47:51,661 You have the investors. You have the ownership group. 1183 00:47:51,661 --> 00:47:52,787 You have the supporters. 1184 00:47:52,787 --> 00:47:55,957 Everything is coming together. It's looking great. 1185 00:47:55,957 --> 00:47:57,792 {\an8}Now you have the preseason. 1186 00:47:57,792 --> 00:47:59,836 {\an8}They're playing another expansion team-- 1187 00:47:59,836 --> 00:48:01,004 {\an8}San Diego Wave. 1188 00:48:01,004 --> 00:48:03,006 {\an8}They want to create a rivalry, of course, 1189 00:48:03,006 --> 00:48:05,091 {\an8}between the two teams. 1190 00:48:07,886 --> 00:48:10,555 {\an8}[laughter] 1191 00:48:10,555 --> 00:48:12,182 There was a lot of pressure 1192 00:48:12,182 --> 00:48:15,393 going into the first game of the preseason. 1193 00:48:15,393 --> 00:48:18,313 You know, there was definitely different displays of nerves 1194 00:48:18,313 --> 00:48:20,857 from different players within the group. 1195 00:48:20,857 --> 00:48:24,152 [dramatic music] 1196 00:48:24,152 --> 00:48:31,201 ♪ ♪ 1197 00:48:35,747 --> 00:48:39,834 ♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪ 1198 00:48:39,834 --> 00:48:43,463 [crowd cheering] 1199 00:48:47,926 --> 00:48:49,386 Those are our players. 1200 00:48:49,386 --> 00:48:51,262 - I'm gonna cry. - I know. 1201 00:48:51,262 --> 00:48:54,015 "Hey, Julie, we have this idea to start a woman's soccer team. 1202 00:48:54,015 --> 00:48:55,558 What do you think?" 1203 00:48:55,558 --> 00:48:58,395 For the first game, we show up in Cal State Fullerton-- 1204 00:48:58,395 --> 00:49:00,397 over 7,000 fans. 1205 00:49:00,397 --> 00:49:03,024 Yeah, it's incredible. 1206 00:49:13,284 --> 00:49:16,204 It's been absolutely devastating to hear 1207 00:49:16,204 --> 00:49:17,497 some of the experiences 1208 00:49:17,497 --> 00:49:19,040 of women who've been in this sport 1209 00:49:19,040 --> 00:49:22,585 and only motivates us more to want to change things 1210 00:49:22,585 --> 00:49:24,963 and create a new model. 1211 00:49:24,963 --> 00:49:27,048 [rhythmic drumming, fans chanting] 1212 00:49:27,048 --> 00:49:28,258 [whistle blows] 1213 00:49:28,258 --> 00:49:30,510 There's the whistle, and away we go! 1214 00:49:30,510 --> 00:49:33,263 An historic start for both Angel City 1215 00:49:33,263 --> 00:49:35,306 and San Diego Wave. 1216 00:49:35,306 --> 00:49:37,308 [indistinct shouting] 1217 00:49:37,308 --> 00:49:44,357 ♪ ♪ 1218 00:49:53,700 --> 00:49:55,493 [crowd groans] 1219 00:49:58,163 --> 00:50:05,170 ♪ ♪ 1220 00:50:11,593 --> 00:50:13,428 all: Angel City! 1221 00:50:13,428 --> 00:50:20,435 ♪ ♪ 1222 00:50:20,435 --> 00:50:24,105 Roccaro... moves it wide to the left. 1223 00:50:24,105 --> 00:50:25,690 Now the cross comes back in. 1224 00:50:25,690 --> 00:50:27,567 Header is down and in! 1225 00:50:27,567 --> 00:50:30,779 Savannah McCaskill strikes! 1226 00:50:30,779 --> 00:50:34,616 It's the first goal for Angel City! 1227 00:50:34,616 --> 00:50:38,912 {\an8}To be able to score the first goal was pretty cool. 1228 00:50:38,912 --> 00:50:41,122 Wish we would've won that game, but-- 1229 00:50:41,122 --> 00:50:43,792 San Diego come back level! 1230 00:50:43,792 --> 00:50:46,503 And it's the first goal for the Wave... 1231 00:50:46,503 --> 00:50:48,296 1-1! 1232 00:50:48,296 --> 00:50:52,550 McCaskill's goal canceled out by Kaleigh Riehl, 1233 00:50:52,550 --> 00:50:55,553 salvages a point for San Diego Wave tonight. 1234 00:50:55,553 --> 00:51:02,602 ♪ ♪ 1235 00:51:05,104 --> 00:51:07,315 You guys, first away game! 1236 00:51:07,315 --> 00:51:09,484 - Baby! - I know. 1237 00:51:11,945 --> 00:51:13,488 {\an8}- This is it. This is impressive. 1238 00:51:13,488 --> 00:51:14,989 {\an8}This is the standard, I think, 1239 00:51:14,989 --> 00:51:17,075 {\an8}and we're obviously trying to push that standard 1240 00:51:17,075 --> 00:51:18,368 {\an8}even further, so... 1241 00:51:18,368 --> 00:51:20,995 {\an8}awesome, awesome. 1242 00:51:20,995 --> 00:51:23,957 [crowd cheering] 1243 00:51:23,957 --> 00:51:26,668 Let's go, ACFC! 1244 00:51:26,668 --> 00:51:29,379 [crowd cheering, person shouts] 1245 00:51:29,379 --> 00:51:31,214 {\an8}Get there, nice! Here we go! 1246 00:51:31,214 --> 00:51:32,674 {\an8}Well done. 1247 00:51:32,674 --> 00:51:35,260 {\an8}My job is recruitment of players 1248 00:51:35,260 --> 00:51:38,096 and managing performance of the team. 1249 00:51:38,096 --> 00:51:39,305 Get in the box. 1250 00:51:39,305 --> 00:51:41,850 In building this team, the big part of the strategy 1251 00:51:41,850 --> 00:51:43,810 was to really be solid defensively. 1252 00:51:43,810 --> 00:51:45,270 Well played, Jassy! 1253 00:51:45,270 --> 00:51:48,565 Now we've had a bit of an injury crisis. 1254 00:51:48,565 --> 00:51:50,650 I mean, I've never been part of a team 1255 00:51:50,650 --> 00:51:54,904 that had four defenders injured at the same time. 1256 00:51:54,904 --> 00:51:57,198 Smith, all the way! 1257 00:51:57,198 --> 00:52:00,785 [crowd cheering] 1258 00:52:02,954 --> 00:52:06,249 There were some problems that they had out of the gate, 1259 00:52:06,249 --> 00:52:08,251 and they don't seem to have a style, 1260 00:52:08,251 --> 00:52:10,420 and they don't seem to have a chemistry, 1261 00:52:10,420 --> 00:52:12,797 and they don't seem to mesh. 1262 00:52:12,797 --> 00:52:17,093 I really thought this was gonna be just a long season. 1263 00:52:17,093 --> 00:52:20,513 Portland Thorns with a comprehensive 1264 00:52:20,513 --> 00:52:23,308 three-goal, three-point performance. 1265 00:52:23,308 --> 00:52:26,477 And Providence Park rocking tonight. 1266 00:52:26,477 --> 00:52:33,192 ♪ ♪ 1267 00:52:36,321 --> 00:52:39,616 {\an8}- I think with the type of player that you are, 1268 00:52:39,616 --> 00:52:41,242 {\an8}the position that you are, 1269 00:52:41,242 --> 00:52:44,913 {\an8}it behooves us to do this the absolute right way. 1270 00:52:44,913 --> 00:52:46,915 - Yeah. - It's more of the-- 1271 00:52:46,915 --> 00:52:48,416 can you take an impact? 1272 00:52:48,416 --> 00:52:52,837 If you take an impact, how do you respond to it? 1273 00:52:52,837 --> 00:52:56,799 On opening day, I don't think I'll be able to play, 1274 00:52:56,799 --> 00:52:58,635 because my PT is worried 1275 00:52:58,635 --> 00:53:02,847 about my strength, still, in my left arm. 1276 00:53:02,847 --> 00:53:05,808 And go. Awesome. 1277 00:53:05,808 --> 00:53:08,895 - Ooh. - Yeah. That looks about right. 1278 00:53:08,895 --> 00:53:11,147 My wife is coming next weekend. 1279 00:53:11,147 --> 00:53:12,774 It's a huge move for her. 1280 00:53:12,774 --> 00:53:14,817 She's been in D.C. for five years. 1281 00:53:14,817 --> 00:53:17,236 She's like, "Oh, gosh, you can basically get traded 1282 00:53:17,236 --> 00:53:18,738 or move in a year." 1283 00:53:18,738 --> 00:53:21,115 And I'm like, "That's not what I want to do, 1284 00:53:21,115 --> 00:53:23,326 and you have to believe in my path and my career." 1285 00:53:23,326 --> 00:53:25,495 And she's like, "Okay." 1286 00:53:25,495 --> 00:53:27,956 It's just a super-fast progression. 1287 00:53:27,956 --> 00:53:30,583 I just feel a lot of pressure sometimes. 1288 00:53:30,583 --> 00:53:33,211 Yeah, this is really pressure-built. 1289 00:53:33,211 --> 00:53:35,505 [rhythmic drumming, fans chanting] 1290 00:53:35,505 --> 00:53:39,175 {\an8}all: The mighty ACFC! 1291 00:53:39,175 --> 00:53:42,178 {\an8}- Will history be made today in San Diego? 1292 00:53:42,178 --> 00:53:45,723 {\an8}We'll see. Both of these clubs looking for the first wins. 1293 00:53:45,723 --> 00:53:47,517 [crowd cheering] 1294 00:53:47,517 --> 00:53:49,185 We're just a few weeks into the season 1295 00:53:49,185 --> 00:53:51,187 and, really, Angel City's existence. 1296 00:53:51,187 --> 00:53:52,730 What's the next level of production 1297 00:53:52,730 --> 00:53:54,482 you'd like to see your team unlock? 1298 00:53:54,482 --> 00:53:56,818 We've got a long way to go, obviously. 1299 00:53:56,818 --> 00:53:59,320 We've learned some brutal lessons these last two games, 1300 00:53:59,320 --> 00:54:00,488 but those are the things 1301 00:54:00,488 --> 00:54:02,323 that are gonna prepare us for this season. 1302 00:54:02,323 --> 00:54:04,450 It's really important for us to have a big response. 1303 00:54:04,450 --> 00:54:07,203 ♪ Oh, oh ♪ 1304 00:54:07,203 --> 00:54:10,540 ♪ Hey, hey ♪ 1305 00:54:10,540 --> 00:54:17,672 ♪ ♪ 1306 00:54:20,800 --> 00:54:23,219 The header! [crowd cheering] 1307 00:54:23,219 --> 00:54:26,973 Jodie Taylor coming through! 1308 00:54:26,973 --> 00:54:30,059 Taylor trying to hunt it down--Morgan! 1309 00:54:30,059 --> 00:54:36,691 ♪ ♪ 1310 00:54:36,691 --> 00:54:39,736 [cheers and applause] 1311 00:54:44,907 --> 00:54:49,078 Christen Press equalizes for Angel City! 1312 00:54:49,078 --> 00:54:52,582 ♪ ♪ 1313 00:54:52,582 --> 00:54:54,208 Corner kick. 1314 00:54:54,208 --> 00:54:57,628 Corner kick number 562. 1315 00:54:57,628 --> 00:55:00,757 ♪ ♪ 1316 00:55:00,757 --> 00:55:03,718 Morgan has another! 1317 00:55:03,718 --> 00:55:04,719 Are you kidding? 1318 00:55:04,719 --> 00:55:07,096 Ali now on this near side, cuts inside, 1319 00:55:07,096 --> 00:55:10,224 Gilles couldn't get to it. 1320 00:55:10,224 --> 00:55:13,853 Ali, the four-time All-American! 1321 00:55:13,853 --> 00:55:16,064 San Diego, it's time to celebrate. 1322 00:55:16,064 --> 00:55:19,108 First win in franchise history. 1323 00:55:19,108 --> 00:55:21,110 Alex Morgan, two goals on the day 1324 00:55:21,110 --> 00:55:22,820 in the 4-2 win. 1325 00:55:24,530 --> 00:55:30,244 [all chanting] ...FC! AC! FC! AC! FC! 1326 00:55:30,244 --> 00:55:34,749 AC! FC! AC! FC! 1327 00:55:34,749 --> 00:55:37,251 AC! FC! AC... 1328 00:55:37,251 --> 00:55:40,254 You all right? Oh, it was tough. 1329 00:55:40,254 --> 00:55:42,381 I know. You're working your heart out. 1330 00:55:42,381 --> 00:55:46,552 - You're tired. - Ugh. It's so frustrating. 1331 00:55:46,552 --> 00:55:48,429 This is a fucking "in the trenches" moment. 1332 00:55:48,429 --> 00:55:49,806 Isn't it? It's "in the trenches" moment. 1333 00:55:49,806 --> 00:55:53,309 But we can't-- You know, what we gonna do? 1334 00:55:53,309 --> 00:55:54,644 'Cause that wasn't acceptable 1335 00:55:54,644 --> 00:55:56,354 by any stretch of the imagination, 1336 00:55:56,354 --> 00:55:58,856 and we all know that. 1337 00:55:58,856 --> 00:56:00,650 {\an8}They've seen that we can't defend, 1338 00:56:00,650 --> 00:56:02,610 {\an8}and they've just gone-- let's put us under pressure. 1339 00:56:02,610 --> 00:56:04,445 {\an8}If we do the same thing to them, it's different 1340 00:56:04,445 --> 00:56:05,446 {\an8}because we don't have the forwards 1341 00:56:05,446 --> 00:56:06,906 that are gonna compete. 1342 00:56:06,906 --> 00:56:08,783 We don't have the forwards that are gonna compete? 1343 00:56:08,783 --> 00:56:10,952 In the air--if we go direct and drill it at them, 1344 00:56:10,952 --> 00:56:12,995 none of our front three are gonna win a header 1345 00:56:12,995 --> 00:56:14,038 or a battle-- 1346 00:56:14,038 --> 00:56:15,790 No, but that's why you put it in behind them. 1347 00:56:15,790 --> 00:56:17,834 We asked them to-- when they play a high line, 1348 00:56:17,834 --> 00:56:19,627 for us to put the ball in direct. 1349 00:56:19,627 --> 00:56:21,212 That's the instruction. 1350 00:56:21,212 --> 00:56:22,839 Like, I can only give them that instruction, 1351 00:56:22,839 --> 00:56:23,881 and when they drop off, like-- 1352 00:56:23,881 --> 00:56:25,007 As long as it's the instruction, 1353 00:56:25,007 --> 00:56:26,050 'cause that's what I'm seeing. 1354 00:56:26,050 --> 00:56:27,677 I can only tell you what I'm seeing, Freya, 1355 00:56:27,677 --> 00:56:30,054 and the rest of it's up to you and the players. 1356 00:56:30,054 --> 00:56:32,431 I know it's preseason, I know we're building, 1357 00:56:32,431 --> 00:56:34,725 but you don't want to develop 1358 00:56:34,725 --> 00:56:38,146 a habit of losing more than three in a row. 1359 00:56:38,146 --> 00:56:39,522 You know, I'm not the coach. 1360 00:56:39,522 --> 00:56:40,857 If I wanted to be the coach, 1361 00:56:40,857 --> 00:56:42,358 I would've interviewed for the coach job. 1362 00:56:42,358 --> 00:56:43,818 I'm not the coach. 1363 00:56:43,818 --> 00:56:45,486 But, you know, I built the team now, 1364 00:56:45,486 --> 00:56:48,447 and I don't have much say on the field, right? 1365 00:56:48,447 --> 00:56:49,866 Like, I can influence, 1366 00:56:49,866 --> 00:56:51,659 and I can speak to the coaches and say, 1367 00:56:51,659 --> 00:56:53,452 "Have you thought about this, thought about that?" 1368 00:56:53,452 --> 00:56:54,829 But ultimately, it's their decision. 1369 00:56:54,829 --> 00:56:57,790 [fans cheering loudly] 1370 00:56:59,917 --> 00:57:01,836 {\an8}I know. I know. 1371 00:57:01,836 --> 00:57:04,130 {\an8}But they know it, too. 1372 00:57:06,424 --> 00:57:07,967 - You look sharp as hell. - I know, I told her-- 1373 00:57:07,967 --> 00:57:10,094 - she looks very smart. - You look very smart. 1374 00:57:14,140 --> 00:57:21,105 ♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪ 1375 00:57:21,105 --> 00:57:27,695 ♪ ♪ 1376 00:57:27,695 --> 00:57:31,073 My lungs are filled with fatigue. 1377 00:57:31,073 --> 00:57:32,533 [sighs] 1378 00:57:32,533 --> 00:57:34,368 Yeah. How many minutes till we're back? 1379 00:57:34,368 --> 00:57:35,870 I'm really excited to get back. 1380 00:57:35,870 --> 00:57:41,125 ♪ ♪ 1381 00:57:41,125 --> 00:57:42,877 {\an8}This is Christen. This is where we want her. 1382 00:57:42,877 --> 00:57:44,629 {\an8}This is where she's been most effective. 1383 00:57:44,629 --> 00:57:45,630 {\an8}- Yes, yes. - You see there-- 1384 00:57:45,630 --> 00:57:46,839 {\an8}driving up plays. 1385 00:57:48,382 --> 00:57:49,592 {\an8}Yeah, no, I get that. 1386 00:57:51,719 --> 00:57:52,845 {\an8}Yeah. 1387 00:57:52,845 --> 00:57:54,764 {\an8}You know, to be a starter and to be a starter in L.A., 1388 00:57:54,764 --> 00:57:57,350 {\an8}it requires something very different. 1389 00:57:57,350 --> 00:57:59,727 And we're gonna find out, staff and players, 1390 00:57:59,727 --> 00:58:02,605 over the next few months, like, frankly, 1391 00:58:02,605 --> 00:58:04,440 who's got the minerals. 1392 00:58:06,150 --> 00:58:08,736 [indistinct chatter] 1393 00:58:08,736 --> 00:58:12,240 I think right now we're kind of at a crossroads, 1394 00:58:12,240 --> 00:58:14,533 in that the Challenge Cup is coming to an end, 1395 00:58:14,533 --> 00:58:16,118 and we know that season is starting, 1396 00:58:16,118 --> 00:58:19,163 but we also know that we haven't really worked 1397 00:58:19,163 --> 00:58:21,082 on everything that we need to work on. 1398 00:58:21,082 --> 00:58:23,417 Like, we aren't exactly a team quite yet. 1399 00:58:23,417 --> 00:58:25,336 [indistinct chatter] 1400 00:58:25,336 --> 00:58:28,172 Losing sucks. 1401 00:58:28,172 --> 00:58:29,799 In terms of where the team's at, 1402 00:58:29,799 --> 00:58:31,968 that's been a huge frustration, 1403 00:58:31,968 --> 00:58:33,970 and, you know, the team can feel it, 1404 00:58:33,970 --> 00:58:37,139 and it's nine days away from our home opener. 1405 00:58:37,139 --> 00:58:39,141 [dramatic music] 1406 00:58:39,141 --> 00:58:41,143 Guys, this is when it matters. 1407 00:58:41,143 --> 00:58:42,937 When we're fatigued, nobody talks. 1408 00:58:42,937 --> 00:58:44,814 Precisely when we have to talk, 1409 00:58:44,814 --> 00:58:46,148 'cause we're just getting played through, 1410 00:58:46,148 --> 00:58:47,984 and nobody's saying, "Stop, shift." 1411 00:58:47,984 --> 00:58:50,319 Everybody's on their island. We have to communicate. 1412 00:58:50,319 --> 00:58:52,947 ♪ ♪ 1413 00:58:52,947 --> 00:58:54,448 We have some elite people on the team. 1414 00:58:54,448 --> 00:58:55,491 We have World Cup winners. 1415 00:58:55,491 --> 00:58:57,785 We have Olympic gold medalists. 1416 00:58:57,785 --> 00:58:59,912 And to pull people together 1417 00:58:59,912 --> 00:59:02,456 and not have it going the way they want it to go 1418 00:59:02,456 --> 00:59:04,417 is really, really tough. 1419 00:59:04,417 --> 00:59:05,793 But it's brick by brick. 1420 00:59:05,793 --> 00:59:08,296 Every day we must come in and lay a brick. 1421 00:59:08,296 --> 00:59:10,506 And if the weather is bad, we lay another brick. 1422 00:59:10,506 --> 00:59:12,842 And if the result goes bad, we lay another brick 1423 00:59:12,842 --> 00:59:14,677 and hopefully drive the culture 1424 00:59:14,677 --> 00:59:17,722 that our women every day want to lay bricks, too. 1425 00:59:17,722 --> 00:59:20,516 ♪ Hey, hey ♪ 1426 00:59:20,516 --> 00:59:22,518 {\an8}♪ Ahh ♪ 1427 00:59:22,518 --> 00:59:24,812 {\an8}♪ Uh-huh ♪ 1428 00:59:24,812 --> 00:59:27,023 {\an8}♪ Ahh ♪ 1429 00:59:27,023 --> 00:59:28,983 {\an8}♪ Uh-huh ♪ 1430 00:59:28,983 --> 00:59:31,652 {\an8}♪ Baby, break a sweat, break a sweat ♪ 1431 00:59:31,652 --> 00:59:33,321 {\an8}♪ Baby, break a sweat ♪ 1432 00:59:33,321 --> 00:59:34,989 {\an8}♪ Don't get tired yet ♪ 1433 00:59:34,989 --> 00:59:40,536 {\an8}♪ Tired yet, don't get tired yet ♪ 1434 00:59:40,536 --> 00:59:43,164 {\an8}♪ Baby, break a sweat, break a sweat ♪ 1435 00:59:43,164 --> 00:59:44,874 {\an8}♪ Baby, break a sweat ♪ 1436 00:59:44,874 --> 00:59:47,668 {\an8}♪ Keep on doing it, doing it ♪ 1437 00:59:47,668 --> 00:59:49,503 {\an8}♪ Keep on doing it ♪ 1438 00:59:49,503 --> 00:59:54,258 {\an8}♪ ♪ 1439 00:59:54,258 --> 00:59:55,926 {\an8}Whoo! 1440 00:59:55,926 --> 00:59:58,220 {\an8}♪ ♪ 1441 00:59:58,220 --> 01:00:00,264 {\an8}♪ Baby, break a sweat ♪ 1442 01:00:00,264 --> 01:00:03,225 {\an8}♪ ♪ 1443 01:00:03,225 --> 01:00:05,561 {\an8}♪ Oh, yeah ♪ 1444 01:00:05,561 --> 01:00:06,896 {\an8}♪ Ah ♪ 1445 01:00:06,896 --> 01:00:09,190 {\an8}♪ Baby, break a sweat ♪ 1446 01:00:09,190 --> 01:00:10,274 [bright tone]