The international break is over and it’s back to NWSL this weekend. Angel City FC have their work cut out for them as they welcome the potent attack of Portland Thorns. Coming off a loss their last time out, the team look to kickoff the first of three straight at home, with a win this afternoon. Today will be a test of the team’s mentality, as we see how they respond to having their early season unbeaten run snapped on the road before the break. Keeping tight defensively and staying aggressive in the attack are the keys to three points, oh and doing their best to keep a returning Sophia Wilson, as quiet as possible.
The #AngelCityFC Starting XI for #LAvPOR.#Volemos | #NWSL | @DoorDash pic.twitter.com/p9fTOHtXZB
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 26, 2026
The first 10 minutes of the match very much looked like two teams fresh from international break, unwilling to push too far too fast. Both sides were feeling out each other as they probed for ways to breakthrough. It was Angel City early on that had a couple of close chances, though none that really threatened Portland. The ideas were there though, and early on they looked the slight favorites to find the back of the net first. With good these two sides are, that first goal would be an important one in terms of setting the tone for the rest of the match.
As we approached the 30th minute mark Angel City started to really find ways through the Portland Thorns defense as they were getting closer and closer to that opening goal. A couple really strong sequences saw them put together some good looks at goal that were met by blocks and a good save to keep the match scoreless. All the team needed was to find that finishing touch and they would find a way to break the deadlock before halftime break.
The halftime break arrived without either side finding the back of the net, though Angel City remained close. Portland did send a warning shot late in the half when Olivia Moultrie got on the end of a pass that set her completely free and she took the 1v1 opportunity well with a cooly slotted goal. In the end she was ruled offside, but it was a wake up call to the Angel City defense that this team can strike fast and out of nowhere. With the second half starting, goals were there to be had, and a win still on the table for Angel City.
In the 60th minute Angel City saw two subs, one of which was met with a standing ovation as we got the return of Japanese international, Jun Endo. After time out with an injury, the midfield/winger was a welcome sight in a scoreless match that was screaming for someone of her talents to help push Angel City over the line and snatch a win.
Fifty & fabulous 💅 Jun Endo makes her 50th NWSL career appearance at today’s #LAvPOR match!!!
GET LOUD FOR JUN!!!! pic.twitter.com/jgefRkblod— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 26, 2026
The missed opportunities came back to bite Angel City in the 76th when Portland earned a corner kick. The ball into the box was cleared, but only as far Portland defender and former Angel City player, M.A. Vignola who nudged it back into the box with her head where Pietra Tordin was there to head it right past Anderson for the goal and the late lead.
Deadlock broken 👀
Pietra Tordin sees her opportunity and takes it to give the Thorns the lead! pic.twitter.com/zszVW7Jw6d
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2026
A tough way to concede, the response from Angel City was similar to what we saw against Orlando after conceding. The team didn’t hang their heads, instead they put on a flurry of build-ups and shots on goal that unfortunately were met with perfect defense from Portland. While throwing everything at Portland to try and find the late equalizer, it was the visitors that put this one to bed. Some dangerous play out of the back led to Sophia Wilson getting the ball with plenty of space, time, and with one swift kick she sent the shot sailing past Anderson for the second goal of the night, securing the win for the Thorns.
Sophia Wilson scores her first goal since returning from maternity leave and it’s a beauty 🥹 pic.twitter.com/p6F0wPqcfe
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 27, 2026
Not ones to give up without a fight, Angel City finally found a breakthrough of their own with time winding down. A great pass into the box found Angel City forward Prisca who needed just one touch to send it just under the crossbar and past the line for the goal.
CHILUFYA 🗣️
With the quick restart, Angel City gets the attack going and Prisca Chilufya sends it home! pic.twitter.com/ul0cvtvZSK
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 27, 2026
Much like Orlando, this loss will be tough to swallow, because for the most part, the team did an excellent job at keeping the dangerous scorers from finding much of anything, but in the end it was mistakes and poor clearances that gave Thorns the chances they needed to come away with the three points. Now the team turn focus to their next home match against Utah Royals.
Thoughts on the tough loss at home? Leave a comment below!