LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Thompson sisters are set for another season with Angel City FC, marking significant contract extensions for both Alyssa and Gisele, as announced on January 31, 2025. This dual re-signing has brought excitement not just among their teammates, but also their fans, who are eager to watch the duo make their mark on the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Alyssa Thompson, just 20 years old, signed on for three more years, locking her down with the team until 2028. She crafted her path to professional soccer at the young age of 18, becoming the number one overall pick in the 2023 NWSL draft, and proving her mettle on the international stage as the youngest player on the U.S. national team's roster during the recent Women's World Cup. With nine goals and nine assists across 53 appearances since her debut with Angel City FC, Alyssa's skills have already established her as one of the rising stars of the league.
Gisele, who is 19, isn't far behind her older sister on the soccer field. Following Alyssa's footsteps, Gisele signed with Angel City shortly after her 17th birthday last year. Now, with her two-year contract extension, she aims to grow even more as she strengthens her position as defender for the club. Last season, she participated in 16 matches and earned her first assist against Utah.
The sisters have always shared their ups and downs, both on and off the pitch. “I love doing everything with her. We’ve been doing it since we were young, so it’s not like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be with Gisele any more.’ It’s actually more fun because we always laugh and make light of whatever situation we’re in,” Alyssa remarked, reflecting on their enduring bond.
For Gisele, the comfort of having her sister close by during national team events is invaluable. “It just makes everything so much more comfortable. I think going to the women’s team environment, it’s very scary and has a lot of stress and anxiety, but I think Alyssa really calms me down, makes me really grounded,” she expressed. Their shared experiences continue to help them navigate pressures of professional sports.
Mark Parsons, the sporting director of Angel City, noted the immense potential both sisters possess, commenting, “Alyssa and Gisele both have world-class potential for both club and country, and we look forward to continuing to support their growth and development on and off the pitch.” The team's investment in their future aligns with the increasing competitiveness and visibility of women's soccer.
An intriguing aspect of this story is the sisters' ambition to achieve the unprecedented feat of scoring the first sister-to-sister goal within the NWSL. While Sam and Kristie Mewis once played in the league, they did so on different teams, and Tori and Maddie Huster's brief stint didn’t see them make history either. Having both sisters aiming for this milestone certainly adds excitement, with Alyssa sharing, “Of course. I feel like it would be so fun.”
The story of the Thompson sisters encapsulates the evolution of women’s soccer, demonstrating not only their talent as players but also their unique bond as sisters. With their re-signings, fans can anticipate what will come next as they chase historic moments and continue their growth within Angel City FC.