December 20, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Angel City FC News Release
LOS ANGELES – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) announced today that Iron Woman defender Sarah Gorden has signed a new contract with the club through 2026 with a mutual option for 2027.
Gorden joined ACFC in 2021 via a trade with the Chicago Red Stars ahead of the club’s inaugural season. In 2023, she played every minute of every match, helping ACFC earn their first NWSL Playoff appearance in club history.
“I am full of gratitude and excitement to be re-signing with Angel City,” stated Gorden. “Los Angeles is home to me and my family and there’s no place we’d rather be. Last year was just a sneak peak into what this team is capable of. I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue to work, grow, and evolve as a player here. I want nothing more than to bring a championship home to LA!”
“This is a big signing for the club. With the competitive nature of free agency, we wanted to make sure Sarah continued to make LA her home,” stated General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “She is a big part of how we move forward in the pursuit to win a championship. Her leadership on and off the field is critical to our success and we are thrilled that she will be on our roster for years to come.”
Gorden returned from a season-ending injury she sustained in the 2022 Preseason leading up to ACFC’s inaugural kickoff. She made an incredible comeback, recording 11 blocks and 21 interceptions in 2,070 minutes on the pitch in 2023. With 23 match appearances, Gorden also had a 79% passing success rate with 1,096 total passes, earning NWSL Best XI honors in the month of August and for the entire 2023 season.
Prior to joining ACFC, Gorden played with the Red Stars from 2016 to 2021 and appeared in 78 total matches including two NWSL Championship appearances. In her last season, she appeared in 27 games, becoming Chicago’s first Iron Woman, playing every minute of the 2021 season- the only NWSL player to play every minute of competition that season.
A Chicago native, Gorden graduated from DePaul University as a dual-sport athlete in soccer and track and field. While at DePaul, Gorden appeared in 77 total matches, earning one goal and two assists. Her senior year, she was named to the All-Big East first team and NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team. Gorden is the first DePaul player to be drafted by the NWSL.
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