Break out the fireworks, light up the grills and probably get a glass of something on ice if you plan on watching Angel City, but let the celebrations begin because NWSL IS BACK! The league made its return this weekend, with several matches to kickoff the second half of the season, Angel City hosting Orlando Pride taking center stage for some exciting Friday night lights. This is also 4th of July weekend, so fans and players alike will be treated to a fireworks show after the match, to hopefully celebrate three points.
Here is your ACFC Starting XI!
#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvORL | #AngelCityFC
— Angel City FC (@angelcity.com) July 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM
With an interim head coach taking the helm, Angel City were as ready as they could be facing off against the Marta-led Orlando Pride in a match that would set the tone for how the rest of the season could look for both sides as they aim to put themselves firmly into the postseason race. For Angel City, there were added stakes in this match, as they desperately need some positive energy to permeate throughout the club at the moment after a rough stretch of results going into break, and now, dealing wth yet another change at head coach.
The first 15 minutes of the match were fairly even, with the slightest edge going to the visiting Pride side. Orlando had the best look at goal between the two sides, sending an effort just past the fingertips of a leaping Angelina Anderson, but the ball also went just past the right side of the post, narrowly missing what would’ve been an outstanding goal. Angel City had their best look to start the match right at the 15th minute mark, on a ball that was sent into the box and nearly nudged over the line, but Orlando’s defense did just enough to clear the danger at the last moment.
In what has been the story of the season, Angel City were doing a great job at creating chances, but were unable to get the ball past the keeper and over the line for the score. After coming close on several occasions the team finally broke through Orlando’s defense in the 36th minute. After a couple of shots got deflected, one rebound fell to the feet of midfielder Maiara Niehues who didn’t need an invitation to put her laces through it and send it screaming past the keeper for the goal and first half lead.
Maiara Niehues can’t stop scoring 👊
Three consecutive matches with a goal!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 3, 2026 at 7:55 PM
That would be the only goal of the half for either side, as Angel City took the lead into halftime break. Getting the opening goal was huge, but now Los Angeles needed to see out the match and secure the win at home to set the tone for the rest of the season ahead. It wouldn’t be easy, as Orlando still had Marta lurking on the bench, just waiting to break the hearts of the home side.
Orlando didn’t wait, bringing on Marta to start the second half, but Angel City weren’t about to let this opportunity slip away. After getting caught trying to play out the back, Orlando found themselves in desperation mode defensively as Sveindís Jónsdóttir pounced on the ball, taking it herself as she went 1v1 with the keeper. Moorhouse had the angle, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Icelandic forward who took her chance well, nutmegging her way to a goal, doubling the lead for Angel City in the 56th minute of the match.
Sveindís Jónsdóttir picks a pocket and finds the back of the net 💥 pic.twitter.com/x9GRKDyQn8
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 4, 2026
While the match was far from over, the second goal, given how well Los Angeles had controlled the majority of the match, felt like it would be enough for the team to see out the result for the three points at home. That said, there was still the matter of handling business on the pitch and Orlando were not about to make it easy. The final 20 minutes were all Pride as they hunted for not just one goal, but the equalizer, putting immense pressure on Los Angeles to close out the match.
Angelina Anderson was called upon to make several huge saves late in the match to keep the clean sheet for her side, as Orlando put together a last-minute flurry on goal. Angel City withstood the pressure and were able to close out the night with a massive 2-0 win at home. Not only does the win help the team on a night that saw teams around them in the standings fail to get any results, but the win is a statement. Despite all that is happening with this club at the moment, the players seem focused on doing whatever they need to do to ensure a strong finish to the campaign. Playoffs are very much within reach, but for now, the team just need to use this win to gain momentum going into the short road stint coming up.
Thoughts on the win at home? Drop a comment below!
1 Comment
Does anyone know if there were any serious injuries from that fireworks show in the stadium?