The FIFA Women’s World Cup may have caused a brief respite for teams, but in the end the NWSL is eternal. Angel City FC were back in action tonight, hosting Portland Thorns in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. Both sides came into this one missing players due to the World Cup, making this an intriguing matchup from the start.
Call the chiropractor cause we’re back 😤#NWSL | #UKGChallengeCup | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/a9g278XaT5
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) July 29, 2023
Angel City come into this one unbeaten since Interim Head Coach Becki Tweed took the helm, and a big reason for that is this team finding ways to score first and score early. Tonight was no different. In the eighth minute Jasmyne Spencer put in an excellent cross that found the box, and also found a leaping Savannah McCaskill, who got her head on it to get it past the keeper for the lead.
Savannah McCaskill gets @weareangelcity off to the races 🚀 pic.twitter.com/6ikYkAkDAW
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 30, 2023
The Thorns however, despite missing some talented players, have loads of talent still available. Namely, Morgan Weaver who has given Angel City fits in their brief history playing. Just when it looked like ACFC was taking a lead into the halftime break, Weaver got on the end of a nice ball that cut across the box, took control, gave it a moment, then unloaded the equalizer.
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Oh WOW Morgan Weaver 🥵 pic.twitter.com/xnl6u2HVxY
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 30, 2023
The two sides went into the break even at a goal each, but you had the feeling there was more to be had in this one. The second half started much like the first, only it took Angel City even less time to score. Savannah McCaskill stood over a free kick in the 47th minute and buried it with an incredible shot from distance. The midfielder not only took the lead with the amazing effort, but secured her brace as well.
.@smccaskill_7 are you SERIOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VzNqNGR3YD
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 30, 2023
If there is anything this matchup taught us, its to expect insanity at all times. That proved true in this one. Just when it looked like Angel City would see out the win fairly easily, Thorns surged in the final ten minutes as they went hunting for the equalizer. The best chance came on a penalty kick for the young Olivia Moultrie, who had her shot from the spot saved by Angelina Anderson, making her professional debut.
TAKE A BOW @angieandersonnn WOW pic.twitter.com/6OP68lukv4
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 30, 2023
Anderson was tested by a close range effort merely seconds later, and shut down that effort as well. The pressure was on from Portland, as they were clearly not going away. It got a lot more tense for Los Angeles after seeing the stoppage time showed 10 minutes, giving Thorns plenty of time to avoid elimination from Challenge Cup contention.
Angel City was able to hang on for the three points, keeping them alive in the Challenge Cup. The win also extends the unbeaten run to six matches under Becki Tweed, with LA looking like a vastly different side as of late. The Challenge Cup action continues next week, with ACFC hosting SoCal rivals, San Diego Wave FC.
Thoughts on the win tonight? Leave a comment below!