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LOS ANGELES—-It’s been a colorful week for Los Angeles. A classic California sunset tainted our skies pink just last night, and tonight Dodgers fans are following suit donning a special edition cap tinted black and a similar shade of peachy pink.
It’s a new look that not-so-coincidentally matches with another one of Los Angeles’ beloved teams, Angel City Football Club. Alongside the exclusive hat for the ACFC and Dodgers collab is a Dave Roberts bobblehead, with ACFC’s outreach program and DJ taking the stage at Centerfield.
Like one of those old crossover episodes, it’s an interesting sight to behold and I can’t tell if I’m imagining things.
That is until I spotted Angel City’s forward: Alyssa Thompson.
Sporting Dodgers blue and taking a break from her angel wings, the fellow Filipina-American and Gen-Zer is stepping up to the plate instead of lacing up her cleats.
She isn’t by any means out of her element. Like millions of other Angelenos, the stadium seems to be electrifying rather than terrifying Thompson. But pressure makes diamonds, and Alyssa’s got moxie more than anything. She’s still fresh from representing the stars and stripes as part of the U.S Women’s National Team alongside NWSL legends Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, and Alyssa’s got a glow about her that says “I made it.”
Thompson got the chance to throw the ceremonial pitch tonight, joining a long line of legends before her. She’s made history.
On the flip side, I got the chance to get some cardio in, chasing her down for a few words while she soaked in the legendary moment.
I’m walking shoulder to shoulder with Thompson like we’re old friends, and she seems like she’s in shock herself. “It’s super cool,” she manages to say breathlessly, almost in disbelief. For the both of us, it’s been a surreal few minutes.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, it’s a major occasion for Alyssa, still so early in her career. And it’s completely deserved.
“I mean, just being able to be a part of the names that so many celebrities and people I look up to that have been able to like do this,” says Thompson, just before she stops to snap a pic with a little girl who clutches onto her like a brand new toy.
She comes back to me, saying “I’ve always dreamed of being able to one day throw the pitch.” Los Angeles is the city of dreams for a reason.
We’re in the stands and it’s pandemonium, but Alyssa never fails to give me her attention. In her words, it’s super cool. I ask her what’s more nerve-wracking—a penalty kick or throwing the pitch. and she laughs without an air of arrogance.
“It depends on the circumstances, but today I was pretty nervous about throwing the pitch.” I can tell she’s being humble, because that anxiety never showed.
And it’s onto the deep stuff. Beyond the stars and stripes, Alyssa’s repping the Philippines’ three stars and a sun, as well as Peru’s native vicuña.
Alyssa’s presence in the NWSL and at tonight’s Dodgers game is what Los Angeles is all about. To Alyssa, it’s about “being able to be a role model for so many young kids that look like me that are Latino and Filipino, or just mixed in general.” She faces me with a beaming smile, and an overwhelming sense of sisterhood floods me. This sportswriter is proud to have had her show up for the Golden State.
Like true Angelenos, the Dodgers and ACFC are looking out for each other. And much like our sunsets, our food, and even our fashion, both the Dodgers and the ACFC are full of color. From Alyssa Thompson to Mookie Betts—it’s two teams, but the same city. And that’s the beauty of Los Angeles. What a kaleidoscope world.
Photo Credit: Jonah Breton
she looks like a neighbor some 20 plus years ago. nice article !