Ally Sentnor on joining Angel City and USWNT ambitions | Full Time Podcast
Ally Sentnor and Angel City are 2-0 since the club dismissed head coach Alex Straus. What is the clubs outlook for the rest of the season with the new midfielder in tow? Hosts Jillian Sakovits and Meg Linehan evaluate the changes in Los Angeles and discuss Sentnors midseason arrival. Then, Sentnor joins the show to share her perspective on her career with the Utah Royals, Kansas City Current and the U.S. womens national team as well as her expectations for Angel City. PLUS: Meg and Jill discuss the recent announcement of the two friendly matches scheduled for October between the second-ranked USWNT and top-ranked Spain and what they might tell us about the teams ambition in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup. ------------ #nwsl #uswnt #wsl ------------ Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter to get all the latest women's soccer news straight to your inbox every Tuesday: Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime Catch the full episodes of Full Time right here
Video Transcript
Hello everybody, a very warm welcome to Full Time Focus.
It is presented by Amazon Prime.
Jillian Sakovitz alongside the one and only Meg Linehan with you today.
But most important of all, a one-on-one conversation with Angel City's newest midfielder, Ally Setnor.
Last month, the 22-year-old midfielder joined Angel City from Kansas City for an $850,000 transfer fee shortly after dismissing their head coach, Alex Strauss, and trading midfielder Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC.
So on today's show we've got lots of questions for Ally, and really looking forward to this conversation.
I know we as, journalists and fans of the league are, are looking forward, Angel City is certainly wanting to look forward, but the question still remains, Meg, is what ultimately led to the departure of Alex Strauss, who as you said, was in their eyes a longterm solution.
He only got about 12 months, and ultimately sporting director Mark Parsons declined to discuss the reasons behind the decision in detail to our Asal Pelit.
W- what do we know here in mid-July about the reasons that potentially led to his departure?
I mean, honestly, not, not really anything, right?
And I don't know if it was just cultural thing, I don't know if it was a You know, all we can do is speculate, which I think all of us hate to do.
So there is the sense of yes, Angel City was, again, underperforming.
They were outside of the playoff line.
You know, they are in better shape after these last two games back from the break.
I also think getting a win over San Diego is like a huge moral victory and like emotional victory for this team, because those are their rivals, even though the history there is so brief.
But I think there is this sense of Angel City as a s- product on the field, as a soccer club, as a team that actually does need to play soccer in addition to all of the stuff that Angel City does really well, we have never seen them reach their full potential.
And so to, to go and recruit sort of this high profile coach and then to not have that translate into immediate suc- success, I, I do think I don't think anybody was expecting him to let go, right?
Again, because the messaging was, you know, we found our guy, this is a longterm project.
Mark Parsons came on the show and said this is basically a three-year project to figure out how do we get Angel City into a place of constant success.
And so then to see that project kind of derail in an unexpected time is really interesting, and I think we're only gonna get more information and we're only gonna be able to, like, look back at what they were missing when they hire the next coach and what they stress in all of those press appearances.
Well, we know what they have in Ally Setnor, and we're gonna toss it now to our conversation with her.
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Now, let's get you back to the show.
We are so thrilled and honored to be welcoming in the one and only Ally Setnor.
Hi Ally.
Thank you for having me.
Oh, thank you for coming.
So we're gonna kick things off like summer camp style, I don't know, freshman dorm style, with a little icebreaker.
A little lightning round if you will.
So let's just dive right into it.
Is Ally Setnor more East Coast or West Coast?
Ooh, I, I'm a East Coast girl at heart.
Okay.
Well, as a fellow Masshole, I do wanna talk to you actually about Hanson.
I'm gonna immediately skip past the speed round because I wanna talk to you about Hanson, obviously.
The Mewis sister's coming out of there, but just can you describe to us, you know, that childhood in Massachusetts and, and that first taste of soccer that you got?
Yeah.
I think honestly Massachusetts has a pretty big soccer landscape.
I think most people play soccer growing up, whether that's literally just rec, anything, like everyone at some point plays soccer.
So you know, I just started playing when everyone else did, getting thrown into it by our parents on, pug nets and just like having a good time on a Saturday morning, and I liked it.
I got thrown into everything, and then I slowly started to wanna do more of it and stay later and miss other things for it.
So I really just embraced all the opportunities that Mass had to offer, and then got expanded from there.
What was the, the team name for Hanson?
Because as a Gloucester, Massachusetts- native, we were the Gloucester Fishermen no matter if we were boys or girls, everybody was just Fishermen.
Oh.
Did Hanson have a, a little name going?
No.
I think we changed our team name probably every week depending on who- we beat.
But I ha- we had like these reversible pinnies that were our jerseys, and it was like blue and white and we thought they were very cool.
I don't know if I like the idea better of, a women's soccer team being the Fishermen or, or the word Masshole.
I'm kind of torn right now 'cause I kind of love both of them.
If you were a soccer player Ally, what would you be?
Ooh, I'm like on this side of TikTok right now where it's like private chef in the Hamptons, and I'm like- yeah, I'd do that.
They never have a mess though.
That's my thing about that, that I'm always like, where did you put your other stuff?
Yeah, but I, I'm like, I would do that.
That seems like a cool job.
Okay.
Hired.
Ali- Ali, where's your favorite place to play ever?
I would say honestly my favorite places to play, like, are wherever my people are and however many people come that I get to see after the game.
I think that's the best part about it.
You know, I have to ask you as I sit here and, and think about what was, Boston Stadium, we'll call it, did you make it to any World Cup games?
I made it to two out here in LA.
Sweet.
I know.
The, the I gotta say, all the famous and rich people are at the games in LA.
Yeah, it was really cool.
I made it to the first game and the third group stage game.
It was honestly some of the coolest events I've me- I've been to.
All right.
Let's get, let's get out of speed round.
Let's talk about Angel City.
Obviously, you know, team is, is 2 and 0.
What has been your first couple of weeks been like with Angel City of settling in LA, of, of gelling with this team?
Yeah.
It's still getting my feet under me, just moving in these past, like, two weeks and getting my stuff here, so definitely settling and figuring out routines and connections, but it's been really fun.
I've, I've really enjoyed it.
It's been a fun process.
I think we have so much potential.
We have You can see it on the field, sparks of amazing things that we're doing out there, and, it's really just about the consistency and, like, building as a young team.
So it's really cool to be a part of, but I'm also hoping that I bring in something that s- that I've learned from the other teams that I've been on to help really excel us.
That's exactly what I wanted to ask you about.
Like, when you look at the teams you've played on, you're like, Ali's been around.
It's been two and a half years in the league, Utah, Kansas City, and now Angel City.
When you think about the iteration of yourself from Utah and Kansas City, like, what are those things that you think now you bring to Angel City?
Yeah.
I always make the comment that I was, like, kind of just a chicken with my head cut off.
Like, uh- Utah, when I first came in there, I was, like, running around, doing anything and everything that I could, and I think I've learned to become a little bit more of a composed player and know when it's the time to keep the ball, when's the time to manage the game.
I think that's been a huge thing for me.
But honestly, the more games that you play, the more n- experience that you get.
It's true, every game you learn something new, whether it's, like, a little game management piece or a different shot to take, and the more games you watch, honestly, watching the World Cup.
So I think I'm just hoping that I bring, you know, like you said, it's only my third year in the league, but we have rookies and second years, and hopefully I can just bring some knowledge to them, and then people around me I learn from every day too.
Ali, I mean, the team is also going through a transition of its own, but you've been through transitions yourself already, again, having moved from team to team.
So how do you bring that part of your experience to Angel City to help start build something new through the back half of the season?
Yeah.
I have definitely been through change in the league for the short time that I've been- in the league, to say the least.
So it's unfortunate, but it's also learning moments.
I think hopefully we'll, you know, we'll get some stability, but I think it was cool 'cause I'm kind of on the same footing as everyone with the stuff that we have.
Mm-hmm.
Obviously I'm still learning everyone, but with a new head coach, but it is The season is so long, and I think coming in as a rookie you just never know that.
Like, you think it's over, and then you, you still have six months left.
Like, it is really so long, and things change so much that teams can truly have a first half and a second half of the season that are so polar opposites.
You wanna be the most consistent team, but obviously I've only will be here for the second half, so trying to make this second half the most consistent, and then going forward be a consistent team throughout the year.
You know, whether it's a, quote, "new manager", you could say new interim manager, Bump, you know, A- Angel City i- is, is, is enjoying a, a good time right now.
What do you think the second half of the season Angel City could, could look like from an id- identity point of view?
Yeah.
I think what's been consistent the whole year and from what I've seen from this team- Mm-hmm is the intensity, the belief, the unity from the group, and I think that is something that's hard to coach.
So the things that we can be coached on tactically and technically are things that we're evolving in, which I think is really cool, and I think what you can see from us is an evolution and also just, doing different things, you know?
Like, we have an identity, and we have that identity rooted in passion and energy, but we want to be a team that's dynamic, and we want to be a team that is unpredictable, and I think that's the next evolution for us.
Ali, I do wanna shift us into some US talk.
Obviously we're recording this on Monday, announcement this morning that the US is playing Spain for two friendlies back here on the East Coast, so hopefully you have some friends and family that can travel down to DC or Philly for those.
But I mean, first of all, what was your reaction when you heard, okay, we're getting Spain for two games?
I mean, I hope that I'm gonna be able to be a part of those games.
I think that it's so cool.
Like, whenever you can play top FIFA teams in a friendly window, that is just ideal because Emma talks about it all the time, just gaining experience from all the different teams you play is so valuable, and it's, it's undeniably valuable.
So to be able to play the best, one of the best teams, I still think we're the best, but- Good answer.
In the world is, is really amazing.
Like, they have world-class talent, and it's gonna be a battle, but I think it's gonna be a really fun game to watch.
Before you came on, Meg used the word, you know, this is you guys and Emma Hayes, checking that trifecta of, of teams with, with Japan, with Brazil.
If you had to kinda, like, give a word for what you think the squad took away from Japan, Brazil, and what you c- can take away then from Spain, like, what would you say?
We're learning to be adaptable- and manage different styles.
I like that.
Yeah.
You know, Sam Coffey did the press conference on Monday morning, and it was kind of funny.
She started laughing almost at herself because she's like, "I'm, I'm verging into cliche territory here."
But for the US she said, you know, the mission actually shouldn't be, we don't have to do anything special against Spain.
We don't have to do anything special against Brazil.
We don't have to do anything special against Japan because ultimately we're the best versions of ourselves if we are simply ourselves.
And so I'm wondering, as someone who actually gets to see that system up close and personal on a frequent basis, I mean, do you think that You know, you just said, "Okay, US, we're, we're a top team too."
How does the US be itself right now against a team like Spain?
Yeah, I mean, Sam put it perfectly, as she always does.
But I would say it is really important to be ourselves.
We're not gonna change for other teams.
We are going to adapt and be fluid and learn how to manage a game, but we ultimately have some of the best players in the world at what they do.
And I think it's important that we make our strengths and the things we're really good at super strengths, because, when it comes to a tournament, when it comes to playing games where it's win or go home, that's what we're gonna rely on.
So being able to bring the qualities that the US is the best at is gonna be most important on top of anything that we do because of another team.
You know, I, I know you joined the US Women's National Team, the, the youth program, since you were 12 years old, and like you said, have only been in the league three years.
But I think, you know, 23 caps, all of your experiences, you, you talk like a veteran.
You talk like a more seasoned player.
When you got w- in this Emma Hayes mix, who was someone that you kind of relied on or, hit it off with or kind of exceeded your expectations?
I mean, all of them, honestly.
Like everyone coming into camp- Mm-hmm it was genuinely the coolest most full circle moment that I've had as a player, just being You know, watching Lindsey and Rose combine during training, I said, "Oh my gosh, it's real."
Like they're real.
That's really cool.
But everyone, everyone has, like they have on the field, you know, like Soph can turn and shoot like no other, and you know, Tierna hits that left-footed ball, and Nay's gonna stop everyone V one.
Like I could go on and on.
Everyone has their on the field super strengths and powers, but I think everyone off the field complement each other so well too.
Like you learn that calmness and like you said, learning how to, learning how to articulate everything from Sam.
You learn the competitiveness from Sonnet.
You learn the, you know, game management from Lindsey.
Like you learn little things that all these players are so good at, and you try to just soak that all in and take it in to become, you know, someone that then another player coming in can learn from.
To bring us maybe a little bit more full circle, when you think about what you're going to be able to accomplish at Angel City, what you can learn at Angel City, and honestly some of the environments of those games too, right?
Like A- Angel City has one of the best game day environments in the league, I think, and- Yeah, for sure how do you pull what you're getting out of the NWSL week to week to help you stay in the mix for the US Women's National Team?
Yeah, I think I'm still like, like I said, finding my footing here, and I'm really excited.
Like it's really I can feel it getting to the point where I'm like, "Okay, I'm here.
I'm, I'm in, I'm in the, I'm in the vibe.
I know now what we do on game days and when to show up and all these things."
So I think going forward it's gonna be, you know, making sure that I can accelerate an attack and accelerate tempo, but also be someone on the field that can, you know, help us in defending, and if we need to adapt with that, not waiting till halftime to do that.
Like I think I can do a good job leading in a w- in that sense because we learn all these tactics from the US that we have to change because every team is different and we learn all that, and you can bring that back into the NWSL and have that knowledge, which is so valuable.
I know as an athlete, a professional athlete, an ultimate competitor, yes, like World Cup always on your mind, but how much has it kinda lit an extra fire just s- s- kind of seeing it going on in our own, in our own backyard?
It's like I know me as a journalist, like I wanna cover that World Cup in Brazil so badly, but watching it here, it's like I want it to be tomorrow.
Oh, yeah.
No, like I mean, since the last World Cup was over that's all you thought about.
Like- Yeah and as it gets closer and closer, like it genuinely is, like that is the ultimate dream, and like you think about it all the time.
Like m- most actions are revolved around trying to make that team, which is crazy, and it's- Mm-hmm a little bit wild, and it's unlike any other job that you can experience.
But it, it's so true.
Like just being a part of the environment in the friendlies is something, but being a part of that team with the legacy it has at a tournament is, would just be another am- amazing thing.
Ali, before we let you out of here, knowing that you went to the men's World Cup, what is one thing that you're gonna remember from those games that you attended that might be in the back of your mind as you work to next summer?
Because I know it's a, it's a little bit of a different animal, but I do think that there's something special about being able to host it here and then knowing that US is up next.
I would say one of the things going to the games was just the, that people were watching soccer for the first time.
That was some of the people's first time watching the game, and I hope that we can be that for people as well even though it will be in Brazil.
And like in order to do that it means making games entertaining and fun and energetic.
So I think remembering that obviously we're there to win a game.
We're gonna do anything that takes, whatever that means, how to play it.
But whether you're sub coming in off the bench, like you bring the most energy, the most vibes, the most Because it's not just us trying to win, it's us trying to like make people want to watch women's soccer.
I love that.
That's right.
Beautiful.
There's room for everybody.
Come on in.
That does it from our team here at Full Time.
As always, to our listeners and our viewers, thank you so very much for hanging out with us here on the show, and a big thanks to Ali Setnor for hanging out with us.
As always, we would love to hear from you, so just send us an email at fulltime@theathletic.com or shoot us a DM over on Instagram or TikTok.
Our handle is @tafulltime.
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I'm Jillian Sackville.
That is Meg Linehan.
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