On what was a mostly gloomy Saturday in Los Angeles, the clouds parted just in time to give us a fairly clear, calm evening as Angel City FC kicked off against Utah Royals. The match was the second of three at home in this short home stand, featuring two teams looking to make a statement and prove they are more than just a flash in the pan in the early stages of this season. Fresh off two tough losses, Angel City were looking to get back into the win column, and get back to scoring goals like they did before the international break.
Here is your ACFC Starting XI!#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvUTA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/p8NeUgb38D
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 3, 2026
Angel City came out fast in this match, earning a corner kick in the first minute of action and didn’t let up. The first 10 minutes of the half saw them blend a high press, with giving up just enough space to cause a few nervy moments for Utah playing out of the back. Neither side had any threatening opportunities in the first 10 minutes, but it was the home side that looked a lot more lively to start proceedings. The best chance of the early stages came just after the 11th minute mark when Angel City forward Riley Tiernan put on a great pass to open up Sveindís, who’s close range shot was saved, keeping it scoreless, but the chances were piling up for Los Angeles.
Through 30 minutes we remained scoreless, but Angel City were definitely knocking on the door. Already having earned four corners, and seen two really good looks at goal that just didn’t quite result in anything, it was clear they were finding a lot of success early breaking down the Utah defense. Now, they just had to put together the final piece. Unfortunately, the dangers of not taking full advantage of early opportunities once again bit Angel City as it only took one chance for Utah to take t he lead in the 33rd minute behind some great passing that ended with a ball into the box going far post where Royals forward Cloé Lacasse was there to head it past Anderson for the lead.
A beautiful ball in from Paige Cronin and Cloé Lacasse’s thumping header gives her a second goal in as many games! pic.twitter.com/Zk8Mg1N6LD
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 3, 2026
Things went from bad to worse for Angel City in the final moments of the half when tensions ran high and Utah were doing the Concacaf dark arts thing and trying to bait reactions. Unfortunately, Angel City midfielder Maiara Niehues happily obliged, swung her arm at a Royals player after a foul on Gisele Thompson, and was shown a red card for her troubles. Now, despite looking the better side for most of the half, Angel City found themselves down a goal and down a player at the halftime break.
Despite being a goal and player down to start the second half, Angel City did well to continue to hunt for their equalizer and were getting surprisingly close on a couple of occasions. Through 55 minutes of play, this one felt far from over and felt like, if Angel City could just put it all together in the final third, they would be able to salvage a result at home and perhaps even give themselves time for a winner.
The last 30+ minutes of this match were filled with rising tensions, two handfuls of fouls, a few more yellow cards and a very frustrated Angel City side that was unable to find the equalizer despite probing the goal constantly. The final whistle blew on what was a very messy second half, and the team once again had to deal with the fact that despite being the better team on the day, they weren’t the better team where it mattered, the scoreboard. Now, they refocus and turn attentions to the final home match of this home stand, where they take on rivals, San Diego Wave.
Thoughts on the latest loss? Drop a comment below!