Sports: After split with sister, Gisele Thompson seeks own identity with Angel City and U.S. teams…see more

Sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson have played soccer together their entire lives, teammates throughout their amateur and professional careers.

Alyssa turned pro in 2023 at age 18 when she signed with Angel City FC, and Gisele followed.

Now, Alyssa is continuing her career in Europe with Chelsea FC, having transferred in September on a $1.3-million deal, while Gisele is preparing for her third season with Angel City. At just 20 years old, Gisele will face her first full season without her sister, on a professional — and personal — path that has been far from conventional.

Instead of taking a break in January, as many young women her age do before entering college, Gisele was at training camp with the U.S. senior team and played in a 6-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday in a friendly at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Gisele, a defender known for her speed on the wings, next will join preseason training with Angel City; she signed a four-year contract extension in September.