Angel City FC held down the fortress, spending Mother’s Day weekend at home. The team played host to Washington Spirit, who had yet to lose a match in NWSL regular season action. Luckily, ACFC have the advantage historically, winning in their last two meetings, and with recent form, the squad looked to make it a third after tonight.
Celebrando a las mamás 🖤 Celebrating moms
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🥳 4:00 – 6:30 PM Street Fair
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🌎 https://t.co/OWYaatCJ4C (INT’L)#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvWAS | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/bZf8ScjRbk— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 13, 2023
Both sides came out strong to start this one. Angel City nearly got an early goal taking the first opportunity of the match in the opening two minutes, but Washington soon countered with some looks of their own. The two sides traded attempts throughout the first half, with neither side breaking through after 30 minutes. While there were no goals scored in the first half, there was plenty of physicality, as both sides looked to set the tone. The teams went into the half even, and scoreless, with the three points up for grabs for both teams.
Alyssa Thompson had the clearest shot of the night so far in the 50th minute. A rare mistake from Washington found Angel City 2 v 1 against the Spirit keeper, but Thompson couldn’t find the right shot from the angle to get the opening goal of the match. Just moments later, another counter-attack saw ACFC almost score again, as it looked like the offense, and more specifically Alyssa Thompson, had finally woken up.
Both sides went into the final ten minutes of the match on heavy legs, and still searching for what was becoming the likely winner on the night. ACFC had done well to keep Washington out of the goal up to this point, and now it was about not just seeing out another solid result against a top squad, but continuing to work to possibly score a last minute stunner for the full points.
In the waning moments of the match, controversy and chaos found its way to Los Angeles. In one of the more controversial calls we have seen, Angel City FC was called for a handball and Washington awarded a penalty. After a long pause for a possible VAR look, it was determined to be a correct call, and Ashley Hatch stepped up to convert and give her side the late and questionable lead. The goal would be enough to hand ACFC their first loss in four matches, and this one hurts. Now, the team get ready to hit the road to take on North Carolina Courage, to hopefully get this bad taste out of their mouths.
That’s goal number 🖐️ for Ashley Hatch this season, and the Spirit take a late lead! pic.twitter.com/V5Xb5ZkTWS
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 14, 2023
What do you think of tonight’s result? Leave a comment below!
1 Comment
That was an horrible call. I don’t why this keeps happening to ACFC… I also wish they could score more goals and close out game. Anyway it was a great game, the team progressed so much since last! Keep your heads up Angels!