For the last time until July, Angel City are back in action from the comfort of their own home. Los Angeles the stage as North Carolina Courage make the visit to the west coast. Both teams sitting outside the playoff line coming into this match, both teams looking to go into the break not just with a win in hand, but putting themselves right back into the postseason mix.
The #AngelCityFC Starting XI for #LAvNC.#Volemos | #NWSL | @doordash pic.twitter.com/0LcZhQE15w
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 31, 2026
The first 10 minutes of the match was all Angel City, the home side as we’ve seen a lot this season, were the aggressors. They weren’t going too hard with the press, but they found early success taking the ball down Carolina’s right side, where they continued to push as they looked for the opening goal. With what has been the story of the season for Los Angeles, they did well to control the first half, and even did excellent to get some looks at goal, unfortunately, they couldn’t take full advantage and find the score.
They went into the halftime break scoreless, having created the most shots (8) but still only managed to get one on target. Carolina had more possession in the first half, but it was Angel City that had 15 touches in their opponent’s box, but again, not able to take advantage of clearly setting the tone in the first half. They looked like the better team, but now we have to see if they can not just see it out in the second half, but do enough to come away with the win at home.
Despite getting dominated for most of the first half, North Carolina came out for the second half with venom on their hearts. Just three minutes into the half, they cut up through the Angel City defense, and with one of the best looks of the match, played some one-touch footy all the way into the back of the net, with Evelyn Ijeh getting the final touch for the goal.
Evelyn Ijeh makes it three goals in three games after the hard work from Ashley Sanchez 💪 pic.twitter.com/obIhKCG8Ff
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2026
One thing about Angel City this season, they have been excellent in response to conceding goals. In a lot of ways, this team seems to play better when going down a goal and backs against the wall and this was no different. It only took minutes, but after letting one get past them, Angel City responded in kind. After Courage tried to clear out another attack in their box, Angel City found another ball into the box and this time it was midfielder Maiara Niehues who got her head on it with just enough to get it past the line for the equalizer in the 50th minute.
Maiara Niehues with the picture perfect header to bring Angel City level! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/pYlQYOjQCX
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2026
The scoring stalled for the majority of the second half, with Angel City continuing to find moments where they could get a look at taking the lead, but letting it fade as soon as it arrived. The one consistency we have seen from Los Angeles this season once again reared its unfortunate head, conceding goals late in matches. The dagger came in the 79th minute, after a great pass to Manaka ended with her slotting it past Anderson for the go-ahead goal late in the match.
Manaka Matsukubo with a smooth finish to restore a late lead for North Carolina 👀 pic.twitter.com/PyhtZkWetq
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2026
Angel City threw everything they had left at North Carolina as time dwindled down in the match. In the end, they couldn’t find the equalizer, making it the second time running that Carolina came into Los Angeles and walk away with all three points. What’s more, it propels Courage into the early playoff picture while the loss keeps Angel City battling against the bottom of the table as we head into the summer break. Now the team have a chance to get healthy, recover, and mentally reset. The team will be back in action in July, giving them plenty of time to work on some things.
Thoughts on the loss at home? Drop a comment below!