Angel City FC midfielder Hina Sugita will miss the entire 2026 season after tearing her left ACL, the team announced Tuesday. The Japan international, who joined the Los Angeles club in a major trade from Portland Thorns in September, was expected to anchor Angel City's midfield this year.

Sugita, a two-time World Cup veteran with 51 caps for Japan's national team, played just four matches for Angel City in 2025. The trade that brought her to the club involved defender M.A. Vignola and $600,000 in intra-league transfer funds heading to Portland. At the time, Angel City sporting director Mark Parsons praised bringing "a championship-caliber player" to the team.

This injury compounds Angel City's early-season setbacks, as fellow Japan international Jun Endo is also sidelined with knee issues. Endo missed Sunday's season opener against Chicago Stars, where Sugita was also absent. Head coach Alex Straus expressed devastation over Sugita's injury but emphasized the team's support for her recovery process.