It feels a bit unfair having to talk about the two different vibes to the day all in one recap. So, instead we will spend this recap focusing mostly on the game and give the evening of celebrations the just waxing poetic it deserves in the coming days. With two legends, defender Ali Riley and forward Christen Press, saying goodbye to the sport with one last home match, the energy coming into the match for Angel City FC was electric. Even when many learned just before kickoff that Racing Louisville had done just enough to eliminate ACFC from playoff contention, the hope was that the team would fight for a win to close out the season at home on a high given the circumstances of the day. However, Portland are true haters and were themselves looking to cement their spot in the postseason and needed a win to do so.
Final score.#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvPOR | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/3r98cO3bzU
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 19, 2025
This was one of those matches that felt like it was moving in slow motion at most times. In fairness to Angel City, for the most part they did really well defending. They limited Portland to just one shot on target in the first half, they kept slightly more possession, and they were able to keep the ball out of their own half. The only real problem is Thorns have a couple of players, namely Olivia Moultrie, who don’t need to be close to let loose a shot that can find the back of the net, which is why limiting their space is so crucial. In the 23rd minute, Moultrie was allowed far too much space and without hesitation she took advantage with a shot from yards outside the box and hit it pure for the early lead.
Olivia Moultrie hits a beautiful strike to score her 7th goal of the year for the Thorns! pic.twitter.com/TLD3K42VK0
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 19, 2025
It was the same story we’ve seen all season long from Angel City throughout the first half, the team just couldn’t figure out the final third. There were a couple of moments where they looked like they would equalize, but for the most part, they found it difficult to find that final piece needed to get into the back of the net. It was a physical match that saw both teams putting bodies on the line and not shying away from hard tackles and hip checks. One of those physical plays spilled into the box in the second half, with Portland the beneficiary. In the 60th minute the Thorns were awarded a penalty after a tackle in the box caught the attacker on the foot, causing her to go down. Olivia Moultrie stepped up to the spot and calmly doubled the lead for the Thorns, getting her brace in the process.
Olivia Moultrie calmly slots home the penalty kick for her 8th goal of 2025! pic.twitter.com/r9uDYTjlOC
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 19, 2025
The highlight of the match came shortly after the penalty conversion, when forward Christen Press was subbed into the match, greeted with a huge ovation. The energy picked up as the fans were ready to shower her with love in what was her final match at home. She nearly gave us a magical moment just minutes after entering the match, with one of the best looks at goal in the match for Angel City. Dribbling around defenders she created just enough space to get her shot off and it nearly found net but was saved by Portland keeper Mackenzie Arnold. The other big moment came in the 82nd minute, when defender Ali Riley entered the match and for the final minutes of the match the two hometown legends were back on the pitch together as they closed out their respective, illustrious careers.
While the match didn’t go the way anyone had wanted, the day was still that of celebration and love as the fans got to watch their Angel City originals one last time at BMO. With just one match left in the regular season the goal for the team now is to just finish strong. End the year with a win and try to get some form of momentum going into what is going to be a very crucial offseason.
Thoughts on the loss at home? Leave a comment below!