Katie Johnson was close to home last season with San Diego Wave FC.
This season, she’s made it home.
Johnson, a Monrovia resident and a Flintridge Sacred Heart and USC grad, signed a two-year contract with Angel City FC in January.
“I think the ultimate decision did come down to feeling like this is the later part of my career and this is an opportunity that I’ve wanted my entire life to play at home in front of my family and friends,” Johnson said. “To have that opportunity given to me, I wanted to take advantage of it, so that was the main reason behind coming (to Angel City).”
Johnson was a free agent after last season, part of the first free agency class in the NWSL.
“I thought San Diego would be close (to home), but if I could get any closer to L.A. and be here, then I can’t complain,” she said.
Johnson and Angel City will continue preparation for the 2023 season with their preseason home debut Wednesday against Club America at BMO Stadium (7 p.m., Bally Sports West).
“One thing that’s really impressed me has been the camaraderie of the group,” Johnson said. “It does feel very unified and together and it was been special to feel that.”
Johnson, who also has dual citizenship with a Mexican mother, made her Mexican national team debut in 2015.
Johnson played four seasons at USC and helped the Trojans to the 2016 NCAA national championship. She was a first-round selection by the Seattle Reign in 2017. She’s also played with Sky Blue FC, Chicago Red Stars and last season with Wave FC. Johnson appeared in 15 games last season (701 minutes).
Johnson has spent the majority of his professional career as a forward, but shifted into the midfield last season with Wave FC.
“It’s been great to see her come in, she looks great, she looks comfortable, she looks relaxed,” ACFC coach Freya Coombe said of Johnson. “She competing well and I think she’s ready to go and we anticipate her being ready to play her part.”
This is Angel City’s second game against a club from Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil. Last season, ACFC faced Tigres and also the Mexican national team.
“It’s a great experience to have international games and everyone probably takes a little more pride in whatever league they’re playing in, because they want it to be the best,” Johnson said. “It brings out that competition of, ‘If we win, are we the better league?’ So, I think it’s a friendly competition, but I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry. More of how can we show women’s soccer across the world, but also compete.”
Roster additions
Angel City recently announced the signing of midfielder Mackenize Pluck to a one-year contract. Pluck went undrafted in the 2023 NWSL draft and joined as a non-roster invitee. Pluck played in 107 games at Duke.
ACFC also acquired defender Merritt Mathias in a trade with the North Carolina Courage in exchange for Tyler Lussi. Mathias is under contract for 2023, with an option for next season.
Southern California products Gisele Thompson, Shae Harvey and Mia Minestrella have been training with Angel City as U-18 Trialists.
Leave a comment