Angel City FC were at home, set to kickoff a huge stretch of matches. The team was playing host to Houston Dash, a team that is hovering around the final playoff spot. Four of the next five matches for ACFC will be at home, with two of those matches against teams that are direct competitors for the final postseason position. Tonight was a special night, as it was the 100th NWSL appearance for USWNT star and Angel City FC midfielder, Julie Ertz.
Today we have a special celebration to uplift the beautiful identities within our LGBTQ+ family. It’s Pride Night presented by @Heineken_US, and we’re ready to take on Houston Dash!
🥳 Fan Fest: 1 – 4:30 PM
⚽️ Kickoff: 5:00 PM #Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvHOU | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/MtI74UzNSa— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) June 25, 2023
The first half opened up fairly even. Both sides were living dangerously playing out the back, and both sides had moments in the first 20 minutes that could have resulted in the opening goal of the night. Angel City looked the aggressors, while Houston seemed content to just absorb and work for an opportunity on the counter-attack. That plan nearly worked out for them early on as well.
The first half finished even, with both sides going into the half without an opening goal. Angel City had the best opportunity of the half, when they put together an excellent corner kick play, leading to an Ertz header that was blocked just before she could get her head on it all the way. The half finished with Houston tallying five shots, Angel City racking up four and neither side finding the target. It was as even a half as you will get, setting us up for ultimate chaos in the final 45.
Angel City FC got a huge break in the 56th minute, after Sydney Leroux was brought down just as she was breaking free towards goal with the ball at her feet. After an initial yellow card, VAR was called into action and a quick trip to the monitor resulted in a red card for the Dash, for denying a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) putting them down a player for the duration of the match. Now, with momentum and a player up, Angel City were in prime position to snatch the three points at home.
Despite going down a player, Houston seemed to lock-in defensively, tightening up and preventing LA from getting anything going. The match remained scoreless through 70 minutes, even though Angel City were in prime position to take full advantage of the situation. Even with the player advantage for the better part of the second half, LA failed to find the goal needed for all the points. Instead, the team will have to settle with a single point after the scoreless draw at home. While not the worst result, for a team going up against a direct opponent for the postseason, the hope is that this result won’t come back to bit them too hard. For now, the focus shifts to Wednesday, where the team will be without those headed to World Cup, when they host San Diego Wave FC in Challenge Cup action.
Thoughts on tonight’s match? Leave a comment below!