LOS ANGELES — Add another midfielder to the group.
Angel City announced on Tuesday they traded with the Portland Thorns for midfielder Raquel “Rocky” Rodríguez. In exchange, they gave them $275,000 in allocation money plus additional conditional funds to be paid against the transfer fee threshold.
“I am so excited to be joining ACFC. I can’t wait to play for the city of Los Angeles,” Rodríguez said. “I want to bring the very best of me to help this team be successful and bring
excitement to the fans. ¡Vamos!”
The midfield was an area Angel City set out to bolster during the offseason as Savannah McCaskill and Dani Weatherholt departed. They selected two midfielders in the draft, Felicia Knox and Jessica Garziano. They also traded for Meggie Dougherty Howard. Now, they have added another midfielder in Rodriguez.
Rodríguez spent the 2021-23 seasons with Portland Thorns. She appeared in 72 matches (in all competitions) with them, helping them win the NWSL Championship in 2022, among other trophies. Before the Thorns, she played for Sky Blue FC (now NJ/NY Gotham FC), where she became the 2016 NWSL Rookie of the Year.
“Rocky brings a high level of professionalism and presence to Angel City’s midfield, and that’s combined with a tremendous amount of experience in this league and internationally as well,” said Angel City general manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “We’re beyond thrilled that we are able to have her join our squad.”
Rodríguez is also a member of the Costa Rica Women’s National Team. For the country, she has scored 45 goals in 85 appearances. Rodríguez also played in two Women’s World Cups for them.
