Leading the notables from Monday, December 9th are the news that Becki Tweed is no longer Angel City’s head coach and former Angel City general manager Angela Hucles Mangano is now the President of Women’s Soccer for the Houston Dash.
In player news, the Chicago Red Stars have signed former Clemson goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz. She returns to the States after playing her rookie pro season in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan.
Also, Bay FC re-signed three first-year professionals: Goalkeeper Emmie Allen plus midfielders Caroline Conti and Jamie Shepherd.
Angel City: The club “part ways” with head coach Becki Tweed
After one-and-a-half seasons leading Angel City from the sideline, Becki Tweed is out as head coach after the club “parts ways” with her (press release). Assistant head coach and former Wales international Eleri Earnshaw (Wikipedia bio, ACFC profile article) will serve as interim head coach.
Originally hired as an assistant coach ahead of Angel City’s second season, Tweed was named the interim head coach June 2023 when Freya Coombe was fired (ACFC article). As interim head coach, Coombe led Angel City to their first NWSL post-season, notching a 5:1 win over Portland in the final regular season match.
In 2024, Angel City finished with 7 wins, 6 draws, and 13 losses, which would have meant a 10th place finish, but with the league-imposed deduction of three points, Angel City finished 12th.
Before Angel City, Tweed was with Gotham FC for over three years as an assistant coach. She also had a stint as assistant coach with the Under-20 United States Women’s Youth National Team under Tracey Kevins.
Tweed was born and raised in Bristol, England, where she played for her hometown club, Bristol City, in what was then the top division of women’s soccer in England. (Wikipedia bio)
Houston Dash: Angela Hucles Mangano hired as President of Women’s Soccer
Angeles Hucles Mangano, who departed Angel City last week, is now the new President of Women’s Soccer for the Houston Dash (press release).
Interim general manager Erik Ustruck led the hiring search for Hucles Mangano’s new position. He will continue to oversee player transactions through at least December 31st as Hucles Mangano is still serving a partial league suspension due to Angel City’s violation of the salary cap and related infractions.
The Dash are currently without a head coach, a technical director (ESPN article from November 14th), and a permanent general manager.
Chicago Red Stars: Goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz signed
On Monday (press release), the Red Stars announced the signing of former Clemson goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz to a one-year contract for the 2025 NWSL season.
The 23-year-old Mackiewicz comes to Chicago after playing her rookie professional season in the Damallsvenskan with now-relegated Trelleborgs FF. Mackiewicz started the Trelleborgs FF’s last 10 regular season matches as well as one Svenska Cupen match (SvFF player profile). Trelleborgs signed Mackiewicz in August to a contract that expired at the end of November (press release). Trelleborgs FF’s previous first-choice goalkeeper, Somea Polozen was on loan from FC Rosengård through the end of July (press release).
Mackiewicz was the first goalkeeper selected in the 2024 NWSL draft, but was ultimately not signed by the Kansas City Current, in part due to a shoulder surgery (FOX4KC.com).
In her senior season at Clemson (player profile), Mackiewicz was named the ACC Goalkeeper of the Year. That year Mackiewicz started 25 matches and set a program record with 13 shutouts while registering 64 saves. She also had the most minutes of any NCAA D1 goalkeeper.
Mackiewicz has attended at least eight United States women’s youth national team camps from the U-15 to U-20 levels. In 2018, she suffered a UCL injury in an elbow, which took her out of the running for a spot on the USA’s Concacaf Women’s Under-17 roster (Daily Camera article).
Bay FC: Emmie Allen, Caroline Conti, and Jamie Shepherd all extend
On Monday, Bay FC announced that three first-year professionals — goalkeeper Emily “Emmie” Allen plus midfielders Caroline Conti and Jamie Shepherd — have been retained by the club for the 2025 NWSL season. Allen’s and Conti’s contracts include a “team option” for the 2026 season, while Shepherd’s contract includes a “mutual option” for 2026.
Emmie Allen — Goalkeeper
Allen did not appear in any regular season matches for Bay FC but did start one Summer Cup match (NWSL game log) and had an appearance in the friendly against FC Barcelona.
Allen, who was not selected in the 2024 NWSL draft, was signed by Bay FC after being a non-roster invitee.
Before the NWSL, Allen played two seasons with the University of North Carolina Tarheels after redshirting her freshman year. She started all 47 of the matches she appeared in and became UNC’s primary goalkeeper in her seventh match, playing the full 90+ in all but four of her final 40 matches. (UNC player profile)
Caroline Conti — Midfielder
In the 2024 NWSL draft, Conti was selected by Bay FC as the 34th overall pick. She appeared in 8 regular season matches, primarily as a late substitute, though she did get one start (May 5th, versus Chicago). She also had two starts during the Summer Cup, both against NWSL clubs. (NWSL game log)
Conti played five seasons of NCAA soccer for Clemson (player profile), starting 96 of her 100 matches, where she was primarily utilized as a forward. She scored 27 goals and registered 20 assists. As a senior, she scored eight goals, including ones against Florida State, Notre Dame, and Penn State.
Conti has attended at least two United States women’s youth camps, including one at the U-14 level in 2014 and one at the U-15 level in 2015.
Jamie Shepherd — Midfielder
Shepherd appeared and started in four matches for Bay FC in 2024: Two regular season matches (against Portland and Chicago) and two Summer Cup matches (against the Wave and Angel City). (NWSL game log)
Shepherd was selected as the 30th overall pick by Bay FC in the 2024 NWSL draft.
Before her pro career, Shepherd played five seasons for BYU (player profile), starting all 108 of her matches. She scored 14 goals, seven of which came during the 2022 season, and tallied 21 assists. Shepherd’s 108 starts and appearances are both program records.
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