Angel City FC’s new head coach, Alex Straus, emphasized the importance of strong communication with his players as he prepares for his first season in charge. Just under two weeks away from his inaugural training session with the team, Straus has already made an impression on the club’s leadership, particularly with CEO and co-founder Julie Uhrman. She traveled to Portugal to observe him coaching FC Bayern Munich—where he achieved remarkable success with three consecutive Frauen-Bundesliga titles—as he led his team to a championship win over Manchester United at the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament.
Uhrman was particularly struck by the relationship Straus had with his players, a connection that she felt was palpable during the match. “The way they would celebrate him and the joy that they brought him, and vice versa, was just something you can’t learn in an interview process,” Uhrman remarked, highlighting the significance of team culture at Angel City.
During his introductory news conference, Straus, who described his coaching philosophy as “centered around people,” shared his intention to foster an environment where players can thrive. He expressed a commitment to understanding what motivates each individual on the team, including key players such as Sarah Gorden, Christen Press, Riley Tiernan, and Alyssa Thompson. “I need to know people, and I need to know what makes them tick,” he stated.
Having shifted his focus from purely chasing trophies to building strong relationships with his players, Straus is determined to cultivate a positive team culture that can lead to success on the field. Both Uhrman and sporting director Mark Parsons have observed the early steps he has taken towards achieving this aim.
Moreover, it is clear that Straus is aware that building a successful team takes time; currently, Angel City sits seventh in the NWSL standings with a 4-4-2 record. While there have been promising performances, including instances of extended control in matches, there have also been challenges—most recently in losses to Bay FC and Racing Louisville, despite having possession. Uhrman stressed the necessity of having a coach who can guide the team through setbacks, a quality she believes Straus possesses.
As Straus prepares for his first match on Saturday against the Chicago Stars at BMO Stadium, he emphasized the need for consistency in performance and aims to establish a foundation that positions Angel City as perennial contenders for the championship. “That’s why we are here, and that’s what we want to do,” he concluded, radiating optimism for the season ahead.
With the support of club management and the commitment to building strong player relationships, there is a hopeful outlook for what Straus can achieve with Angel City FC in the upcoming matches.