(Photo Copyright Angel City FC)
Just four days before her 18th birthday, Gisele Thompson decided to forgo college soccer and sign a professional contract with Angel City FC via the relatively new Under-18 Entry mechanism. Thompson had previously committed to attend Stanford in fall 2024. Now, the defender is signed with the LA-based National Women’s Soccer League team through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026.
“It was a very last-minute decision because I had all my applications for Stanford already done,” Thompson told reporters. “It was really hard for me to make that decision. It really came down to being close to my family and still getting that education because it was really important for my family.”
Thompson has spent significant time with United States youth national teams, including securing a bronze with the Under-19 team in the Pan American Games and helping the Under-20 team qualify for the U-20 FIFA World Cup this year. She also won a United Women’s Soccer semi-pro championship with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat in 2021 and has recently been competing with Total Futbol Academy, a boys’ team in MLS Next.
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