After a trip north to face off against the tough Portland Thorns, Angel City FC are back at home tonight for some midweek madness mixed with a heavy dose of NWSL After Dark as they were set to host the even tougher, KC Current. Kansas City comes into this one looking to keep pace and retake their spot atop the standings, while Angel City come into this one looking to protect their house, and build on the scoreless draw the last time out and get back into the win column.
The #AngelCityFC Starting XI for #LAvKCC.#Volemos | #NWSL | @DoorDash pic.twitter.com/r9Zc8azwPm
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 21, 2026
To the surprise of nobody, Angel City started the match a lot more defensively than we had seen from them throughout this season. They had five at the back early, and were fine playing the counter-attack game for a bit. The game plan couldn’t have gone any better to start the match, with defender Gisele Thompson getting the all-important early goal. The defender took on her KC counterpart, and despite some light attempts at the ball, was able to keep possession, muscle through contact, and get a shot off that skipped past the keeper and into the back of the net for the lead in just the ninth minute of the match.
Gisele Thompson wow oh wow ‼️
Gisele puts Angel City on the board early 🤩 pic.twitter.com/z3yU9bZmmI
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 21, 2026
The goal not only injected a boost of serotonin throughout the entire stadium, it also provided a very tangible boost of confidence for the players. The first 25 minutes of the match saw Angel City not just score the first goal, but continue to apply the pressure. They didn’t take the goal and try to defend for their lives the entire half, they were actually doing all they could to get a second, maybe even a third goal. They came close on several occasions too, narrowly missing goals on a couple of really great build-ups, but even with an early lead, it was great to see them not settle.
Despite getting the early goal, the sense was very much either convert the chances or do whatever necessary to get to halftime with the lead. As we approached halftime, KC started to find holes in the LA defense, slowly inching closer to an equalizer. With the last real action of the half, the Current got what they were hoping for when an Ally Sentnor shot was deflected by Angel City midfielder Nealy Martin, getting past Anderson for the leveler in what was officially awarded to Sentnor, but was helped with a hefty deflection.
Kansas City’s Ally Sentnor SENDS IT to equalize 😱 pic.twitter.com/QO1aqtq0Ns
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 21, 2026
With the match even to start the second half, Angel City had to put on a repeat performance of the first half if they wanted to come out of this one the winner. Despite how good KC typically are, it definitely felt like the type of match Angel City were primed for, with plenty of opportunities for goals still to come. The only concern, would Angel City make the most of those opportunities?
First, Angel City had to keep KC from getting opportunities, as the visitors came out really aggressive to start the second half. They were pressuring, finding space, breaking through the LA defense, and making things really uncomfortable. It all came to a climax in the 57th minute when KC were awarded a penalty. With a free look from the spot, LaBonta stepped up to the spot and had her shot saved by Angelina Anderson, keeping it even at one goal each.
The score remained even through 70 minutes when Angel City Head Coach Alex Straus made a couple of key subs. Kennedy Fuller and Taylor Suarez came off the bench and it wasn’t long before the former made her presence felt. After a couple of poor clearances from the KC defense, the ball ended up at the feet of Fuller who locked and loaded on a shot that screamed past the keeper for the goal and the late lead.
Kennedy Fuller WOW! 🎯
Kennedy makes her presence known and gives Angel City the 2-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/GMvoL1pZJY
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 21, 2026
Knowing how hard it is to keep a goal lead against KC, Angel City didn’t rest with that goal, and began to really tighten the screws as they went hunting for the third goal of the night. They nearly got it a few times, but the crossbar was playing villain and kept a couple of really great shots, from crossing the line. KC started to throw the kitchen sink at Los Angeles late into the match, with dead legs and tired bodies, it was going to take full focus to see out what was seven minutes of stoppage time.
The last few minutes of the match were tense as KC began knocking on the door once again, peppering the goal with attempts and piling up corner kicks as they continued to push for the late equalizer. After what felt like hours, the referee finally blew the whistle and the stadium erupted as Angel City were once again, in the winner’s circle after a brilliant match tactically. Now, the team get ready for another match at the weekend as we get closer to the summer break.
Thoughts on the big win at home? Drop a comment below!