With the three match road trip wrapped up and in the rearview, Angel City FC were back at home in Los Angeles this evening. Taking on one of the NWSL’s best, NC Courage, LA came into this one fresh off a 1-0 win against an equally tough Chicago Red Stars side. It’s a matchup of two sides that like to possess the ball, with one side struggling to find goals, while the other has been excellent at preventing them. If last week taught us anything though, its to expect the unexpected.
Huge congrats to Sarah Gorden on her 100th @nwsl regular season appearance. Locked in and ready for many more! 😤
Drop a 👏👏👏 for @Sarahlgorden ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6vGEqbeFT1
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 22, 2024
It was a special night for Angel City’s superstar defender, Sarah Gorden, who made her 100th NWSL appearance with the start tonight. The team remained unchanged from the Starting XI that got the wild win in the windy city, giving them more time to build that chemistry with one another. We talked about how important that first goal would be, and how LA would really need to do all they could to net one as early as possible. They must have realized the same, and put it to practice.
Alyssa Thompson drew a foul while running through the defense to get on the end of a pass, giving Angel City a great first opportunity with a free kick from just outside the box. Claire Emslie took full advantage of the spot, electing to take it herself and putting on a curler that found the back of the net for the lead in the 23rd minute. A huge moment for the home side, now it was time to lock it in defensively, while hunting for even more.
That technique! 🤌
A fine @emslie22 strike puts @weareangelcity ahead! pic.twitter.com/mZZI2nuMmz
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 22, 2024
That was the type of moment ACFC would need in this match. The Courage are a team great at limiting chances, so taking advantage of every one you get is massive. Courage of course began to stir and find their rhythm for the reset of the half. They kept 69% of possession, and were able to get five shots in their search for an equalizer before break. Angel City could only muster one more attempt at goal in the first half, finishing with two shots, but the all important leading goal. Taking the lead into the break, it was now time to see what adjustments would be made in the second half as the squad looked to close out the win at home.
Chaos heard its name being mustered in the second half, as the Courage went all out from the opening whistle of the half, to get that equalizer. They nearly came close several times, even hitting the post and crossbar in their attempts. Then, Angel City went and got another opportunity, one of the few they have seen to now, and once again it was Claire Emslie taking advantage. On the receiving end of a gorgeous pass from Alyssa Thompson, Emslie got all the dip on her chip, as she lofted it over the opposing keeper for the brace, giving LA the two goal lead in the 54th minute.
✌️ for ACFC!
Emslie doubles @weareangelcity‘s lead and scores the 💯th goal of the 2024 season! pic.twitter.com/b6awmXYRaO
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 22, 2024
Just moments later, it looked as if Ashley Sanchez had found a way to cut the lead in half with a goal of her own. The ball bounced around and found her for the eventual final push over the line, but a quick look after the flag from the side official showed an offsides for Carolina, keeping them scoreless with just over 30 minutes to play in regulation.
Courage kept knocking and in the 73rd minute they got a set piece for themselves with a chance to cut the lead in half, and they did jus that. Former Angel City player Tyley Lussi, was waiting back post as the ball from the free kick was glanced back in her direction, putting enough through it to find the back of the net. Game on indeed.
Tyler Lussi finishes off the set piece at the back post to put her side back within a goal! pic.twitter.com/W3G0g5ZjNA
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 22, 2024
The visitors put on even more pressure as time wound down, doing their best to not just get direct looks at goal, but to draw free kicks and earn corners. Angel City keeper Haricic did excellent late to come up with a couple huge saves to preserve the lead. As regulation ended, we were hit with ten minutes of stoppage time, which isn’t too far off considering some of the pauses in action, but definitely on the high side. Plenty of time for Courage to snatch a point or for ACFC to extend the lead back to two goals. Focus would be key.
The final flurry from Carolina resulted in nothing more than frustration as the visitors watched the final whistle blow, and three points taken by the home side in what was a huge win for Angel City. Not only their second win in a row, but with another match at home next week, a chance to really spark something special ahead of a crucial stretch in the season. For now, enjoy the first win at home of 2024, it couldn’t have come in a better moment.
Thoughts on the win? Leave a comment below!