Sydney Leroux Teases Comeback After Year Away from Soccer

Sydney Leroux, forward for Angel City FC, has hinted at a return to the soccer field after missing the entirety of the 2025 NWSL season due to an excused absence. In a recent social media post, Leroux expressed gratitude to her supporters, stating, "This comeback is for you." She had previously announced her decision to step away from soccer just one day before the season opener, citing the need to prioritize her mental health. Leroux described the past year as "the hardest year of my life," characterizing it as "heartbreaking, isolating and devastating."

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Leroux, who turns 36 in May, has been a prominent figure in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) since its inception in 2013 and has played for Angel City FC since the summer of 2022. She is a member of the United States' 2015 World Cup-winning team and has made 77 appearances for the senior national team. Despite her absence from the field, Leroux remains under contract with Angel City FC through 2027.

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An Angel City spokesperson did not provide additional details regarding Leroux's status or her potential return to the roster. As of January, she was still listed as an excused absence when the team announced its preseason roster. The upcoming 2026 season for Angel City FC is set to begin on March 15 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, where they will face the Chicago Stars.

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While Leroux's decision to prioritize her mental health has been largely supported, some critics argue that the lack of transparency surrounding her absence raises questions about player welfare and the pressures athletes face in professional sports. The absence of veteran players Christen Press and Ali Riley, who retired at the end of the 2025 season, adds another layer of complexity to the team's dynamics as they prepare for the upcoming season.

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• “This comeback is for you,” — Sydney Leroux, Angel City FC Forward

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• “Heartbreaking, isolating and devastating. A year that will stay with me forever. A year that changed me.” — Sydney Leroux, Angel City FC Forward

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• “ She continued: "I fought and I clawed my way through everything that should have broken me.” — Sydney Leroux, Angel City FC Forward

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As Sydney Leroux prepares for her anticipated return, her journey underscores the importance of mental health awareness in sports and the ongoing challenges athletes face both on and off the field.

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