The already slim NWSL Playoff hopes Angel City FC had coming into last night took a massive blow after the loss to KC Current at home. This was the second time Los Angeles was matching up against the league leaders and with top spot already secured on their end, they used this match to run out a lineup that heavily featured college kids and reserves, making it the perfect opportunity for Angel City to get the win and desperately needed three points at home. Unfortunately, not even a more aggressive style of play going forward was enough to overcome the juggernaut that has become the KC Current.
Final.
🔜 10/12 at @bmostadium.#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvKC | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/leqtXK4erg— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 7, 2025
The first time Angel City went up against Kansas City Current, it was obvious they were going in playing for the draw and hoping for the win, and who could blame them. Alex Straus had just arrived, the team was looking to just get points by any means necessary and KC was just starting out what has been an incredible unbeaten run. Angel City managed just three shots for the entirety of the match as they focused on defense. At the end of the match, Straus mentioned how he had hated playing like that. How whether they win or lose, he wanted his teams to play prettier football, to be more aggressive. That was definitely the case this time around.
Angel City were on the front foot from the start. They finished the first half with 67% of possession, they controlled the match, racked up seven shots and even earned three corners. They very much looked like a team that knew they had to win. Unfortunately, the problem of finding the finish in the final third, continued to haunt them. The few opportunities at goal they did get, they couldn’t capitalize on, but at least they weren’t conceding any early goals, sending both teams into the half scoreless.
Los Angeles showed that same aggression in the second half with 62% of possession, eight shots and applying the pressure on what was a young KC side. Sadly, they also continued to not have what it took to finish off build-ups in the final third. Those missed opportunities came back to bite them in the second half, with a perfectly timed sub from Kansas City. In the 59th minute, Michelle Cooper came onto the pitch from off the bench, and in seconds, she had found the back of the net for the lead and eventual winning goal.
Michelle Cooper charges in and makes an instant impact punching home for Kansas City! âš¡
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) October 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
With only five shots, and one on target, it was a real gut-punch to watch KC convert on their only real chance of the night. Even more so when you see that the goal came during the briefest of moments when Angel City’s defense switched off. “It was really disappointing. We controlled the flow of 65 percent of the game as the possession stats say” said Angel City defender Sarah Gorden when speaking to media after the match. “We broke them down. We just didn’t find that final thing to put the ball in the back of the net. We had one defensive breakdown and they capitalized on it. Im really disappointed right now because I feel we deserve more out of that game.”
“Today we looked the way we’re going to look going forward. It was the best display of our style and the identity that we are building” said Angel City Head Coach Alex Straus.  “We played a great game. We were patient, we made them chase the ball, and this is by far the best team in the league, and we are not at the moment. We need to play like this every time, then we will win more games than we lose. I’m very proud of that performance and the way that they played.”
While not mathematically out of the running for the final playoff spot, the team would need to win out the remaining three matches and hope the three teams directly above them also essentially lose out, which while not impossible, is very improbable. That said, you never know, but the team have officially reached must-win territory and hope for the best. Their next match will be against Houston Dash, a team they were able to get the better of on the road back in April. They will need to repeat that result at home as they continue to, at the very least, look to end the season on a high note.
Thoughts on the loss at home? Leave a comment below!