LOS ANGELES — Jun Endo sat on the field with her head down after the final whistle. She was exasperated following Angel City’s 2-1 loss to Gotham FC in their season opener Sunday.
Head coach Freya Coombe walked over and picked Endo up, giving her a hug at the same moment the refs were walking off the field and being littered with boos.
It was the perfect depiction of the night.
Endo is Angel City’s motor and perhaps most important player. In just one season she became an instant fan favorite, and it seemed like she added to her résumé by scoring a goal that would’ve lived on National Women’s Soccer League highlight reels for years to come.