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| Filipino American soccer stars Alyssa (left) and Giselle Thompson seek separate career paths. |
The Los Angeles women's soccer team announced Friday that its star forward and US women's national team winger, 20-year old Alyssa Thompson has officially signed with Chelsea FC, an elite British team with a championship tradition..
A few hours after ACFC announced Alyssa Thompson's departure, the team announced a contract extension for her sister, 19-year old Gisell,e up to 2029.
Both Thompson sisters had signed contract extensions with Angel City in January that were meant to keep the pair at their hometown professional club through 2028, but apparently, everything, even allowing their star forward leave, has a price, a price salary-rich Chelsea was eagar to pay.
After a protracted negotiation between the California and British teams, multiple reports put the transfer costing Chelsea somewhere between $1.3 million and $2 million. The fee marks a new transfer record for both clubs. Alysssa Thompson will be with Chelsea until 2030.
There were so many considerations beyond the business side of the sport for Alyssa Thompson. “I love LA,” Thompson told Chelsea’s official website. “I love playing there. I love being with my sister. I love my family. But what I also know is that I want more for myself, and I want to experience different things. I feel like Chelsea is such an amazing club.
“It was definitely a difficult decision to make to leave my family, my friends, and my home,” said the Filipino/Peruvian American. “I’ve never left home before, but once I heard about the offer, I really wanted to do it. I knew it would be so good for me. I felt like I’d be able to grow not just as a player, but also as a person.
“I decided now was the right time because I felt in my gut that I wanted to go, and I’ve never felt like that before about other hard decisions that I’ve made in the past.”
“It was definitely a difficult decision to make to leave my family, my friends, and my home,” said the Filipino/Peruvian American. “I’ve never left home before, but once I heard about the offer, I really wanted to do it. I knew it would be so good for me. I felt like I’d be able to grow not just as a player, but also as a person.
“I decided now was the right time because I felt in my gut that I wanted to go, and I’ve never felt like that before about other hard decisions that I’ve made in the past.”
Both Thompson sisters had signed contract extensions with Angel City in January that were meant to keep the pair at their hometown professional club through 2028, but apparently, everything, even allowing their star forward leave, has a price, a price salary-rich Chelsea was eagar to pay.
Chelsea admitted that the chmpionship calibre team scouted both Alyssa and Giselle Thompson prior to making an offer.
“I love LA and signing this new contract makes sense for me and my career," said Giselle Thompson. "Everyone at Angel City has been so supportive of me since I joined the club. My teammates are like family, the coaches and staff have my back, the fans are incredible. I love being able to play in front of my friends and family."
“We are thrilled that Gisele will be home in Los Angeles through 2029,” said ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons. “At age 19, she is already one of the most exciting players in the world. We will continue to support her as she develops as a pro and elevates her game."
The Thompsons scored the first-ever sister-to-sister goal in NWSL history against Washington Spirit in May of this year when Alyssa, a forward, passed the ball to Giselle, a defender, who kicked it into the net.
During her time with the L.A. club, Alyssa Thompson made 62 regular season appearances, scoring 15 goals with 11 assists. She made her first appearance with the US Women’s National Team in 2022 against England and has 22 total caps with three goals. Due to an injury, she was not on the US team at the Paris Olympics.
“It’s like an unspoken (dream)," Alyssa said.
“That is the dream of ours: to play together in LA, at the Olympics, in front of all of our family… that would be so cool.”
“I love LA and signing this new contract makes sense for me and my career," said Giselle Thompson. "Everyone at Angel City has been so supportive of me since I joined the club. My teammates are like family, the coaches and staff have my back, the fans are incredible. I love being able to play in front of my friends and family."
“We are thrilled that Gisele will be home in Los Angeles through 2029,” said ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons. “At age 19, she is already one of the most exciting players in the world. We will continue to support her as she develops as a pro and elevates her game."
Right after high school, Alyssa Thompson was drafted No. 1 in 2023 by Angel City and even signed a deal with Nike. A year later, ACFC signed Giselle.
Undoubtedly, she was LAFC's best player and face of the franchise judged as a middle-of- the-pack team even though they are in the playoffs. Arguably, she was the best forward in the league.
At Chelsea, she will not be the best player and will compete with established veterans for playing time and position in the Blues' system.
"I hope I develop a lot as a player, learn from the veterans on the team, and get their insight on things so that I can grow each year and become a better player," said the youthful Alyssa Thompson, who is not even in her peak years.
"Chelsea is such an amazing club, one of the best in the world. Being able to play with players that are the best in the world is an amazing opportunity at such a young age," Alyssa Thompson said in a statement. "I want to learn, grow and develop a lot. I feel like Chelsea is such an amazing environment to do that in."
In their young careers, the Thompsons have been teammates in high school, youth teams and, of course, on Angel City. Alyssa's move to Chelsea will mark the first time they won't be on the same team. Although they will be in different leagues in the near future, the Thompsons will still be teammates on the women's national team and they have another goal coming up quickly
"Chelsea is such an amazing club, one of the best in the world. Being able to play with players that are the best in the world is an amazing opportunity at such a young age," Alyssa Thompson said in a statement. "I want to learn, grow and develop a lot. I feel like Chelsea is such an amazing environment to do that in."
In their young careers, the Thompsons have been teammates in high school, youth teams and, of course, on Angel City. Alyssa's move to Chelsea will mark the first time they won't be on the same team. Although they will be in different leagues in the near future, the Thompsons will still be teammates on the women's national team and they have another goal coming up quickly
“It’s like an unspoken (dream)," Alyssa said.
“That is the dream of ours: to play together in LA, at the Olympics, in front of all of our family… that would be so cool.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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