NBA and NFL strategist joins Angel City FC to revolutionize NWSL leadership | OneFootball

Angel City FC has taken another important step toward turning the team into one of the most visionary franchises in the NWSL. The California-based team announced the hiring of Matt Wade as Assistant General Manager. This is a statement of intent and a strategic move that promises to make a significant impact in the future of the club.

He comes in with a mountain of experience and a streak of very impressive results. But what does this finally mean for Angel City?

Matt Wade: A Name with Many Meanings

A native of Manchester, Wade has earned his place in the world of international soccer. In elite European soccer alone, he has three combined seasons at Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Eredivisie League. He specialized in sports strategies implemented in any other field. At Feyenoord, this meant recruitment processes and sports projects combined within the organization's mission while always working for excellence.

But that's not all: before his time with the Dutch club, Wade held senior roles at Bloom Sports and Sportsology, working on projects in the NFL, NBA, MLS, and even the NWSL. In other words, he is familiar with the North American soccer landscape and its challenges.

At Angel City, Wade will serve as the right-hand woman to General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano in spearheading the club's sports operations and delivering the strategic plan.

A Club in Constant Evolution

In their first three years of existence, Angel City has shown to be so much more than just a team: it's a platform for change. It challenges the status quo and redefines what it means to be a sports franchise. The club has heavily invested, since its foundation, in initiatives besides soccer, including social causes, gender equity, and innovation in the management of sports.

Wade's arrival symbolizes the continuance of that process. As Hucles Mangano outlined: "Matt will help guide our processes systematically and through a strategic soccer lens."

This "strategic lens" will be instrumental in further aligning the club's operations with its mission to set high standards across all departments-a commitment Wade eagerly embraces.

What Does He Bring to the Table?

Wade describes himself as someone passionate about putting people and players first. “I’m incredibly excited to join Angel City FC as Assistant General Manager—a club with exceptional people, an inspiring story, and an engaging project to be part of,” Wade said.

His experience in high-performance environments, combined with his ability to implement effective strategies, makes him the right name to help Angel City continue pushing the boundaries of what a sports franchise can achieve.

Wade also brings with him a European perspective to the club, which in itself might be a huge differentiator based on methodology and practice. His experiences at Feyenoord, where he designed projects for men's and women's teams and also youth academies, place Angel City in good stead to benefit from successful processes that he has implemented in the past.

Additionally, Wade has a track record of pushing boundaries, something Angel City has always sought in its journey. With him, we can expect more innovation and a more structured approach to developing not just the main team but the entire club ecosystem.

The Impact on the NWSL

The NWSL is at a fork in the road. With growing investments and increased visibility, the league requires its clubs to be more calculating than ever before. The hiring of Wade reflects that need.

Angel City is not just looking to compete. It's looking to lead. A hire like this shows the club understands that, to stand out in such a dynamic environment, it needs to think beyond the game through investment in management, structure, and long-term vision.