Its a tough test at home for Angel City FC, as they host undefeated side, Orlando Pride. The good news, they already have a result against this side from earlier on the year, when they got a hard earned point when on the road. Now, LA look to better that result with a massive win on what is Pride night for Angel City FC.
Showing out with Pride! 💅#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvORL | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/ZVAasQ14ER
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) June 30, 2024
Angel City came out with their foot on the gas. Not at all timid considering their opponent, they took it to Orlando in the opening 15 minutes. The Pride did get some looks at goal but between solid team defense and a nice save from Haracic, the home side were able to keep them from out the back of the net. On the other side, LA did well to get some looks at goal of their own, but were unable to find a goal themselves, but looked the favorites to take the lead early on.
Despite the fast start, it just takes one when you’re playing a team as good as Orlando and in the 20th minute that one came. A great run from Marta to draw in defenders ended with her laying off a pass to a wide open Adriana who uncorked one from the West Side, and put it screaming past the keeper for the lead.
Marta intercepts the ball and finds Adriana on the far side and she scores from just outside of the box! pic.twitter.com/T5TySB6B4j
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 1, 2024
Orlando didn’t stop there, as it took just six minutes for them to find a second. After the initial attempt from Barbra Banda was saved, the ball rolled out to a lurking Adriana who took the second bite and secured her second goal of the match to double the lead.
Adriana are you serious?? Thats two for #9. pic.twitter.com/Y1HXMt4TG9
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 1, 2024
The visitors took that lead into the halftime break, as Angel City needed something to get themselves going. Whether fresh legs or tactics shake-up, the team did well to open the match, but need to find a way to get goals. Still a point at the very least to play for in the second half.
By the 60th minute the score remained the same, but Angel City had tacked on a few more missed attempts at goal. Their best look of the night came on a Leroux break after a great pass from Mathias, but the effort was sent wide of goal. Subs were brought in early than usual, as Tweed looked for anything to change the momentum of a match that honestly, still felt up for grabs if LA could just be a bit more clinical in front of goal.
An incredible touch and Syd Leroux nearly puts it away! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/92HJufCxJk
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 1, 2024
In the final stages of the match, a corner kick was sent into the box and there was some extra pushing around the goal. A trip to VAR for the referee determined that it was not a penalty, despite it appearing like a player was pulled down. With time winding down a mistake at the back led to disaster as Sarah Gorden had the ball taken off her after a sloppy pass, and it was Barbra Banda who intercepted the ball, got around the keeper with ease, and snuck the ball into the corner of the net. The goal added insult to injury as the win was already cemented, but the third was the final nail in the coffin.
It’s Banda-monium in LA! pic.twitter.com/NfLJO5bUcO
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 1, 2024
The score line doesn’t necessarily tell the story. It wasn’t 3-0 bad, but it is a reflection of the season so far for Angel City. Opponents taking advantage of chances and converting opportunities into wins. Now the team get ready for their last match before Olympic break and Summer Cup play, as they host another top NWSL side, Gotham FC.
Thoughts on the performance tonight? Leave a comment below!