(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: The Angel City Football Club (ACFC) front office has spent some considerable time weighing heavy on the acquisition of highly talented teenage players, and in this case, they’ve struck another talent gold vein with the signing of the Under-18 forward, Casey Phair, a member of the South Korean Women’s National team’s ongoing development program. She will be listed as an international player on the Angel City roster.
Here is the Club’s press announcement that has made it official and very timely due to the fast-approaching 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. It can be also viewed as yet another big box-office bonus in potentially attracting the City of Angels’ large Korean and Korean-American communities to make the commute to BMO Stadium and watch her perform with her new teammates.
[aigpl-gallery-slider id=”121677″][Photo Gallery Courtesy]: Angel City Football Club
In essence, Phair will also co-represent the Club’s recognition of aligning her with new teammate, Jun Endo, (Japan), while demonstrating its diversity in the recruitment and signing of talent from the vast Asian and Asian-American communities residing here in Southern California and in other Asian countries around the globe.
ANGEL CITY FOOTBALL CLUB SIGNS U-18 FORWARD AND SOUTH KOREA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER CASEY PHAIR
LOS ANGELES (January 18, 2024) – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) announced today that U-18 forward and South Korea Women’s National Team player Casey Phair has signed with the club through 2026 via the NWSL’s U-18 Entry mechanism. At age 16, Phair joins the club as the youngest player in history to appear in the Women’s World Cup and the youngest player in ACFC history.
“It feels like a dream come true,” said Phair. “The first time I came to Los Angeles was last September. I trained with Angel City and fell in love with the culture and LA. All of the players were super welcoming and I really enjoyed everything about the city. I’m excited to start with the team, and play at BMO Stadium in front of all of the fans.”
“The talent pool for women’s football is expanding, as evidenced by Casey Phair being the youngest player signing for Angel City to date,” said ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “Her maturity and experience on the world stage in this past Women’s World Cup will help her have a smooth transition to the professional ranks. We’re excited to add depth to our front line and allow Casey an opportunity to grow and develop at Angel City.”
Not only is Phair the youngest player to make a World Cup debut, she also is the first Korean-American to receive a call-up to the senior South Korean Women’s National Team. Before joining the senior team, Phair competed with the U-17 team, compiling five goals in two games, including a hat trick against Hong Kong in the Women’s Asian Cup Qualifier.
Phair was born in South Korea before moving to Exeter, New Hampshire with her parents. She later moved to Warren Township, New Jersey, where she started training with the Players Development Academy (PDA). Phair also competed at Pingry School, earning 25 goals in 15 matches in her freshman season.
