Another well-known great in women’s soccer is set to join Angel City FC.
Almost a month after it had tabbed Eniola Aluko to be it’s Sporting Director, Angel City has turned to one of the USWNT’s best players to assist Aluko in running the franchise. Angel City on Wednesday announced the hiring of former USWNT midfielder Angela Hucles Mangano as the team’s Vice President of Player Development and Operations.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Angela to the Angel City FC family,” said Julie Uhrman, Founder and President of ACFC. “When she joined with her teammates as a founding investor, she immediately raised her hand to help us build out the club. Whether attending community events, hosting our weeklong Black History Month panels, or helping in the search for our Sporting Director, Angela has been an invaluable partner. I’m excited to watch her work alongside Eni and build out our soccer ops team that will support our players on and off the pitch.”
Among Hucles Mangano’s’ responsibilities with the club will be working alongside Aluko managing all the team needs including creating a player wellness and development program, identifying and securing a practice facility, securing player housing and travel, and organizing all non-NWSL friendly matches.
“I was so honored to be asked to be part of the founding investor group, and when I started to get a broader understanding of the people that make up ACFC and their commitment to making an impact, I knew I wanted to get more involved in the day-to-day,” said Hucles Mangano. “When Team President Julie Uhrman approached me about helping set up our player ops and development program, with a focus on the whole person, I jumped at the chance. This is a dream job that I didn’t even know existed and I can’t wait to get started.”
Hucles Mangano, a former midfielder, enjoyed a stalwart career for club and country. Hucles Mangano starred at the University of Virginia, then played professionally for the Boston Breakers in both the WUSA and Women’s Professional Soccer. Hucles Mangano played for the USWNT from 2002 until 2009, earning 109 caps and scoring 13 goals. Hucles Mangano played was a part of the World Cup squads in 2003 and 2007, though she missed the 2003 tournament with a shin injury. Hucles Mangano also won two Olympic Gold Medals, with the 2008 tournament being her shining moment. Hucles Mangano scored a team-high four goals, which placed second in the competition behind Brazil’s Cristian, and her efforts in Beijing that year was pivotal for the USWNT, as they overcame the loss of Abby Wambach, who broke her leg in a friendly and missed the tournament, to win the Gold Medal.
