Coming into the match, there was a sense that perhaps the planned LA Day celebrations would be a bit dampened by the recent rumors. With the future of Alyssa Thompson up in the air after reports of Chelsea FC wanting to sign her now, and then the dreaded “Excused Absence” meaning she would miss the match, also a precursor to players possibly leaving, the vibes were questionable. But Angel City FC under Alex Straus are different. In the past, where the team might have faltered with all that’s happening around them, last night, they showed some more of that renewed mentality, shut out all the noise, and focused on the important task at hand, getting three points and keep playoff chances alive.
Hard-fought win! 👊
🔜 9.7 #NJNYvLA #Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvBAY | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/xRMqAbSZto
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) September 2, 2025
One thing Alex Straus talked about when he arrived, was how he liked his teams being aggressive. He enjoyed football that led to results, but was also pleasing to watch. An attack that went for it early, and often and as of late, we have seen exactly that from this Angel City team. It wasn’t long before the first goal of the match was scored, and it was courtesy of a banger from rookie Riley Tiernan, who started off the season red-hot, cooled off some but appears to be clawing her way right back into that Golden Boot race. In the 12th minute a perfect pass form MA Vignola sent Tiernan down the flank on a run past defenders. She was able to close in on the goal, before several defenders closed in on her, but it didn’t matter. She hit them with her usual ball skills in the box, this time finding the space needed to get the shot off, slotting past the keeper for the early lead. Proving not all bangers need to be hit hard or aggressive, sometimes they are precision shots after putting defenders on skates.
Riley Tiernan’s 8th goal of her rookie season was a beauty with the left foot 👏
While Bay FC controlled the possession, it was Angel City that seemed to control the tempo of the first half. They had their rivals on the ropes early and were applying pressure. They had a high press that really put Bay FC in a blender at times, and they weren’t happy with just the goal lead. They finished the first half with ten shots, but only two found their target, and earned four corners. Bay was far more clinical with all seven of their shots finding the target, but only one got past Hannah Seabert, who once again was a brick wall for the most part for Angel City.
It took 36 minutes, but Bay FC did get their equalizer in the first half, courtesy of some excellent passing and link-up play. Some precise passing ended with Tess Boade finding Rachel Hill who was wide open in the box as the defense scrambled, her initial shot was saved by Seabert, but the rebound went right back to Hill who stayed with her shot, able to control the second chance and put it into the now open net to level it for her side.
Tess Boade with the set-up ✅
Rachel Hill with the finish ✅
Second half saw Angel City lock down a lot more defensively, as Bay finished the second half with just four shots, none finding their target as they struggled to break down the defense the way they had at times earlier in the match. Angel City kept the pressure on with their eight shots, only two found their target, but most importantly, one found the back of the net, and it was the eventual winner. Sveindís Jónsdóttir was all over the pitch, hunting for her first Angel City goal, desperately looking to finish the slew of chances she had, but it was another player who secured the three points with a debut goal of her own. On a corner kick in the 76th minute, it was Miyabi that sent in a perfect ball that went far post, where Maiara Niehues climbed the ladder for the well struck header that soared over the goalkeeper, and nestled into the back of the net for the lead, and the eventual winning goal.
Maiara Niehues with a beauty for her first NWSL goal 👏
The vibes could have been horrendous, but despite the noise and distraction, the fans came to support the team and they were rewarded with a win. In the end, the vibes may not have needed immaculate, but they were good enough for a great time. “The crowd pushes us” said Head Coach Alex Straus when speaking to media after the win. “I think it’s no coincidence that we won this game today and that the crowd was loud. Even I can feel the energy on the sidelines; it’s like positive feedback, it makes me feel like not everything is bad. When we struggle, they stick around for the team. They have [had] many chances to complain before, but they still come and support the team.” He continued, “We have only won two games now in a row; we cannot lose our heads. We still need to work; it’s a process. When we do reach success, I’ll be so proud and happy to share it with everyone who’s been here since day one, year two, or year three, because this team is truly special.”
It’s unclear what will happen in the next few days, if we have seen the last of the young superstar forward or if we will see her rejoin the team for a farewell tour before heading off in the winter. Or perhaps the club realize there is no price for a player like Thompson and decide to have her stay for the next few years, whatever that looks like, we know one thing. Straus and whoever he has on that roster, wont ever give up. That’s not this team anymore. They will fight, they will play together, and they will do what they need to do to come away with the results, and last night was proof of that. You may not be able to replace a talent like Alyssa, but you can find ways, as difficult as it may be, to win with the talent you do have.
Thoughts on the win at home over Bay FC? Leave a comment below!