Any time Racing Louisville and Angel City meet up on the pitch, we get to witness the NWSL at its purest form of chaos. A match that always sees its share of goals, didn’t fail to deliver again this past weekend as Louisville made the trip to Los Angeles to take on an Angel City side looking to regain their form, defend their house, and send Interim Head Coach Sam Laity, riding off into the sunset with three points. While it didn’t exactly play out that way, it wasn’t for lack of trying as the team came up short at home, despite the late push and player advantage.
Fought till the end.#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvLOU | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/Fv6JPKHeZC
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 25, 2025
The back and forth got started early, with Racing drawing first blood. After earning a penalty in the 21st minute, it was Louisville’s Taylor Flint who stepped up to the spot and put it home for the early lead. Angel City keeper, Angelina Anderson went the right way, but couldn’t get to the low drive shot that just snuck past the right side of the post for the goal.
Taylor Flint drives home her penalty for her second goal of the season! https://t.co/y3nEJfKIbb pic.twitter.com/UKKHaC6XNK
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 25, 2025
The early goal was actually the only one scored in the opening half, one that was controlled by the away side. Louisville went into break with more possession (52%), more shots (9) and the only ‘close chances’ of the match with three incredible looks at goal, nearly extending their lead before the break. Angel City, while struggling to find their footing early in the match, did well to settle in and denied the away side from racing away with the match in the first half. Just minutes into the second half, it was game on.
After a few quiet matches considering how her season started, rookie sensation Riley Tiernan reminded us all that she still has the juice with a moment of individual brilliance. Taking on several defenders in the 48th minute, she put that strong leg to perfect use with a banger from just inside the box. Nobody was getting to that, and the game was even with plenty of time to go.
Riley Tiernan with some individual brilliance to shake her defenders and fire it home! pic.twitter.com/UgNbLjRZOh
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 25, 2025
One of the more glaring issues Angel City has, is their set piece defending, and it snake bit them again in this one. In the 53rd minute a Louisville corner was sent far post to Arin Wright, who was wide open to head it back towards the middle of the box, where Emma Sears was waiting freely, and she also headed it, though this was right towards goal, getting past Anderson to retake the lead for her side.
Arin Wright ➡️ Emma Sears ➡️ GOAL
Header to header and in to the back of the net! pic.twitter.com/jit0WE8Tlm
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 25, 2025
Sensing blood in the water, Racing took full advantage. Just minutes after taking the lead, they extended after an interception in the middle of the pitch led to a counter attack that saw Racing live up to their moniker. Leaving the Angel City defense stumbling and grasping at air, it was a perfect pass from Kayla Fischer that found Savannah DeMelo who needed just one touch to get the goal in front of her family as the Bellflower native and USC alumni enjoyed extending the lead in front of her hometown crowd, even if playing for the opposition.
Teamwork on display for Louisville!
Kayla Fischer sets it up, Savannah DeMelo finishes it off 👏 pic.twitter.com/QrUNsHExVJ
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 25, 2025
In the 66th minute that same Kayla Fischer seemed to let all of her intrusive thoughts win as she inexplicably found herself with two hands full of Angel City midfielder Madison Hammond’s hair, tossing her to the ground by it. It was the most obvious red card to have ever been given, and it set up a penalty as it occurred in the box. Alyssa Thompson stepped up to the spot and left the keeper stuck as she slotted it past for the goal, her fifth of the season, pulling LA within a goal with a player advantage and plenty of time.
Alyssa Thompson’s fifth goal of the season and it’s from the spot 💪 pic.twitter.com/7OabDOKCVM
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 25, 2025
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, despite being the ones in full control of the match in the second half, and with the advantage for a solid 30 minutes of match time, they couldn’t find the equalizer they so desperately needed. In the end, the team fell at home, in what was another tough performance to swallow. “I think these last two results, yea I think the International break comes at a good time” said Angel City midfielder Madison Hammond when speaking to media after the loss. “It’s been a crazy couple of weeks internally, and on the field, but at the same time, I think we’re going to get back on track.” Not only International break now for the NWSL, but for Angel City, when they return, they do so with new head coach Alexander Straus at the helm officially as the Norwegian coach begins life in Los Angeles after a very successful stint with Bayern FC Women’s side.
Thoughts on the loss and the road ahead? Leave a comment below!