It was rivalry weekend in the NWSL, with Angel City taking on their California rivals from the south, San Diego Wave. The team still searches for their first win since early May, and their first win under new head coach Alex Straus. While they were unable to come away with the full three points, they were able to do something we haven’t seen them do in a while, finishing through the match and finding a way to get the result.
Sharing a point on the road. 🔜 #UTAvLA.#Volemos | #NWSL | #SDvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/lHTkTSZYGS
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) August 10, 2025
The match as a whole was the epitome of a chess match in soccer. Neither side willing to push too hard in attack, neither side playing overly defensive but playing more to not concede than to score. There was a total of nine combined shots taking in the first half, with San Diego having eight of those shots. Only one of their shots found target, but none threatened for a goal. Of the two, the Wave were far more offensive-minded in the first half. They finished with 230 passes, had a 0.92 xG, and kept 70% possession. Despite the rocky road as of late at the back, Angel City did an excellent job defensively to keep them from finding their opener.
The second half saw Angel City get a lot more aggressive. They put together 13 shots with six on target, earned four corners, and looked a lot like the team we expect them to look like in the future. The only problem that remained, was the timing. Still just a fraction off from really making their chances count, the team was unable to find the first goal of the match. That distinction went to the home side deep into the match. It took 85 minutes, but San Diego got what looked like the late-winner. Makenzy Robbe looked to put a great pass into the center of the box for a teammate on the run at goal, but Angel City defender Megan Reid was there to put a stop to the attack. However, the ball rebounded and ended up right back at Robbe, who took a second bite at the apple and smashed home a banger for the late lead.
Picture perfect placement by Makenzy Robbe 🤌
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) August 9, 2025 at 9:05 PM
It looked like once again, Angel City was destined for a late-winning goal against them to snatch away the result. This time, though, they were able to dig their heels in and find a way to salvage a point at the very least. In stoppage time, SveindÃs showed us what she brings as she put together a beautiful, picture perfect cross that glided over the defense, found its way into the box, and found Alanna Kennedy who leaped up and got a head on it, nudging it past Sheridan for the equalizer.
Alanna Kennedy’s first goal of the season ties things up in stoppage time! 😱
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) August 9, 2025 at 9:12 PM
While we normally don’t lean too much into moral victories, this one is a bit different. While the team hasn’t won in a while, they have also found themselves losing in some of the most chaotic, heartbreaking ways. They have suffered several late match losses that saw teams get goals near the end of the match to snatch wins at the expense of LA. This weekend, we saw Angel City not hang their heads and just accept defeat. We saw them continue to apply pressure, and continue to fight until the very, eventually snatching a result late themselves. It was a big step forward for a team that feels so close to figuring it out. This was one moral victory the team needed, and hopefully it leads to some outright victories that see Angel City come away with three points soon.
Thoughts on the draw with San Diego Wave? Leave a comment below!