The National Women’s Soccer League finally has a team in Los Angeles. Angeleno fans of the most popular sport across the globe can now add The Angel City Football Club (ACFC) to their list of teams to root for. The addition of a women’s team to the city comes at great time. The local residents have shown extreme interest and dedication to the two current Major Soccer League teams and societally there is a strong desire to see women athletes compete at a professional level.
ACFC is the first professional women’s team to come to Los Angeles since the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997. The success of the team is not only important to investors and owners but also to the fans that support the team. Just with the announcement, on Oct. 21, 2020, of the team, ACFC has accumulated thousands of fans as well as four official team supporter groups, Relentless Ladies, Mosaic 1781, Pandemonium and Valkyries.
Supporter groups are collectives that not only root for the team, but also “create a safe space for our community to discuss women’s sports, especially ACFC,” says Pandemonium supporter group President Kris Resaei, 36. Pandemonium one of the newer supporter groups for ACFC, but they are growing rapidly.
Resaei started Pandemonium to branch off from a larger supporter group to focus on not only being ACFC fan but to also help out her local community. “We’re more than just a group of people who wave banners and bang drums during the game, we’re people who go out and practice the mission of ACFC, to ‘stand side-by-side’ with the community.”
Pandemonium works with groups like the Point Foundation, an organization that helps provide aid and mentoring for LGBTQ students looking to further their education. “Our group has members of the LGBTQ community and we want them, as well as prospective members, to know we’re committed to uplifting them outside of the game,” said Resaei.
Majority of the supporter groups for ACFC have ties to women and or LGBTQ organizations. “The team was a way for us to create a platform that helps raise awareness for groups who need a voice,” said Imelda Coronado-Skolnik, president of the group Relentless Ladies.
Imelda and her family have been a part of supporter groups for many years. They originally participated with a local group in Orange Country that supports Chelsea Football Club, a team a part of the Premier League in. London. Once LA formed the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), the family became proactive and started Relentless. Her family then branched off once the announcement of ACFC was made. Imelda and her family have heavy ties and knowledge of supporter groups within Los Angeles.
Her goal with Relentless Ladies is to create a safe space for families to support ACFC. “Other moms and myself were so excited about a women’s team that I started the Relentless Ladies in order for LAFC fans with families to have a place to have a separate place to support ACFC,” said Coronado-Skolnik. Imelda and her family have attended every match during the pre-season Challenge Cup since March 19, 2022.
“My family and I love the game and since ACFC, we’ve really become closes as a family.” Imelda, her husband Ben and their two children plan to travel across the country to follow the team during summer break. “I think it’s important for both my son and daughter to see the team continue to grow. They have influenced my daughter to be more confident and feel like she can be tough like the ladies on the team.”
Leila, Coronado-Skolnik’s 7-year-old daughter loves going to games to cheer on ACFC. “It’s so much fun and I love seeing [Christen] Press score, she’s my favorite,” said Leila after Press’ second goal against the San Diego Waves.
The ACFC supporters have been very vocal and active during the pre-season. The four groups have work with local organizations and started a Pride-Raiser to raise money for local organizations. Pandemonium is working with Black and Pink, a LGBTQI+ organization that is working to abolish the prison industrial complex. For each yellow card, a penalty, given during an ACFC game money donated by pledges will be donated to the group. Mosaic 1781 and Relentless are also taking pledges for goals scored. Mosaic is donating money to the Compton Girls Club, an organization that empowers and enlightens girls in Compton by providing access to resources that are unavailable to them, such as mentorships, educational materials and mental health services. While the Relentless Ladies are donating their money to the Priority Center in Orange County, California. The organization helps at risk children and families to end generational abuse within the home. The Valkyries are entering names in a raffle per pledge for free tickets to game and other prizes.
The supporter groups also host events before each game. Prior to the season groups met to practice chants and participate in drum circles. Members would meet at parks to learn each chant, prepare for game day and talk brainstorm ideas for new fundraiser events.
Shayla Pham, an 18-year student at El Camino College, plays a big role within Pandemonium. Pham is a capo, or a chant leader. She brings the energy each game and motivates her group to keep chanting proudly during the full 90-minute game. “Being a campo is really important to me. I am a younger group member and I just want to show other younger fans that we are represented in Pandemonium,” said Pham.
“I grew up playing soccer in SoCal [Southern California] and I’ve always wanted there to be a professional team here, it was long overdue and I think it just means so much to the younger generation of female soccer players here to see themselves in ACFC,” said Pham after a drum circle event before the first Challenge Cup match on March 19.
“I try to keep the atmosphere fun even if the score isn’t in our favor. That’s the most important part of being a capo. Our energy feeds the team and we want them to know we’re supporting and believing in them the whole time.” Pham also works with 19-year old Miranda Zorilla, the pair assist Resaei in organizing events for Pandemonium as well as running their social media accounts. “I think Shayla and I bring a lot to Pandemonium. We’re one of the younger groups, and we try to inspire younger generations to come out with us and be a part of something special in women’s sports,” said Zorilla at the drum circle.
Supporter groups are nothing new to Los Angeles. Mosaic 1781 president Alondra Espinosa has been a part of groups for the men’s Galaxy team as well as a local group for Club de Fútbol Ameríca, a team a part of Liga MX. “I’ve taken my experience with other supporter groups and try to do things not only differently but better for my group.”
“When we started Mosaic, we wanted something that not only represented ACFC, but also the city of Los Angeles. We chose the name Mosaic because that what our group and city is, individuals from all different backgrounds coming together to make one community,” said Espinosa. She felt that the previous supporter groups she’s been a part of are not as inclusive and diverse as they should be. “Soccer fans in Los Angeles are more than cis-Latino or white men, and fans that look like me or have the same ideals of me should not have to hide who we are just to support soccer,” said Alondra about what prompt her to form her group.
Alondra like the other group presidents believe that the formation of ACFC was a great way for all soccer fans to come together in a safe space to celebrate. The groups work hard to promote equality and inclusivity while trying to better the supporter group experience. “I’m not discrediting or belittling any supporter group, but I am saying supporter culture needs to change and I believe that the groups for ACFC are doing a great job in better that culture,” said Espinosa.
The groups for ACFC come together before every match and walk in the stadium waving their flags and banners in solidarity. “In order for us to truly support women’s sports we have to actively foster a culture of respect and that starts with all of our groups standing side by side in harmony with one another,” said Rasei as the groups prepare to enter the arena for their first Challenge Cup match.
Imelda and the Relentless ladies stand with Pandemonium before kickoff as the drums and chants are about to start, “there are a lot of younger fans and families in the stands, and it’s up to us to be the example and show them that the supporter section is safe and fun. We want others to see our communities and feel like they can be a part of our groups. That’s what loving soccer is all about, celebrating with fellow fans and enjoy the match.”
Learn the ACFC Chants for the next time you go to a game below
The Angel City Football Club is not just other team in Los Angeles, it is a community that is fighting injustice and inspiring the next generation of female soccer players in the city. The supporter groups uphold the same values as the team as well as their own in order to make their community a better place. Supporter groups have a long history in soccer, but the groups in Los Angeles are working to change the narrative. They are doing more than banning drums, lighting smoke flares and chanting during the games. The ACFC groups are making a place for all to come and bond over women’s soccer.
With the regular season starting this spring and summer, those interested in being a part of something larger than soccer can find the supporter section on the north side of Banc of California Stadium. Wear your pink and black, bring the energy and support your team and community all while making lifelong friends. Come be a part of 12th player in the stands.